A casino is a place where people can play a variety of gambling games. These include slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps. Some casinos also offer non-gambling games, restaurants, hotels, bars and other entertainment. There are thousands of casinos in the world, from large resorts in Las Vegas to smaller neighborhood venues.

The concept of a casino as a place to gamble stretches back to primitive protodice and cut knuckle bones, but the modern casino was developed in the 16th century as part of a gambling craze in Europe. At that time, wealthy Italian aristocrats would hold private parties in rooms called ridotti where they could play a variety of games, including gambling.

In the United States, many state laws prohibit gambling, but casinos operate in jurisdictions where it is legal. Some of the earliest American casinos were built on Indian reservations, which are exempt from state anti-gambling statutes. From the 1980s, a number of American cities and counties repealed their bans on gambling. This resulted in a boom in new gaming facilities.

While the modern casino adds a host of amenities to attract patrons, it still relies on the excitement and awe associated with games of chance to generate profits. The basic elements of a casino include a game selection, the house advantage (or expected value), and the payout percentage. Because of the large amount of money involved, security is a major concern at casinos. Various measures are used to prevent cheating and theft, including cameras and strict rules of conduct.