A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming hall, is an establishment that offers various types of gambling. The games may include table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat, as well as slot machines and video poker. In addition to gambling, some casinos feature live entertainment and restaurants.
Although gambling in some form likely predates recorded history, the modern casino is a complex amalgam of several influences. In the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe, Italian aristocrats met in private clubs called ridotti, where they played their favorite card and dice games and indulged in other sensual pleasures. Gambling was illegal, but the genteel nature of the club meant that the Italian Inquisition seldom visited the venues.
In the ensuing centuries, casinos have sprung up throughout the world in cities and towns large and small, and have evolved into a worldwide industry. Today, casinos attract billions of dollars in wagers every year and are a major source of income for companies, governments, individuals, and Native American tribes. The buildings themselves are often grand and impressive, and they range from sprawling resorts to tiny card rooms.
While entertainment such as musical shows and lighted fountains and shops help draw in the crowds, it is the billions of dollars that patrons bet that keep casinos in business. These profits are what fuel the expansion of gaming facilities, which now feature luxurious hotels, shopping centers, and gourmet restaurants, as well as the traditional card and table games.
