A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance. It is also a place where people come to socialize and enjoy entertainment. Most casinos have restaurants and bars. Some even have theatres or performance venues. Some casinos are located in cities that are known for their gambling activities, such as Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

Some casinos specialize in certain types of games, such as poker or blackjack. Others have a more diverse offering of games, such as slot machines, roulette, keno, and craps. Regardless of the game, most casinos have mathematically determined odds that give the house an advantage over the players. This advantage is known as the house edge. The house may also impose rules on the behavior of patrons and employees to prevent cheating or stealing. These rules often include the requirement that players keep their cards visible at all times.

The history of casinos goes back a long way, with primitive dice and carved six-sided bone dice found in ancient archaeological sites. However, the modern casino as a gathering place for gamblers did not develop until the 16th century when gambling crazes swept Europe. Aristocrats would gather at private clubs called ridotti to indulge in their favorite pastime. These clubs were technically illegal, but they seldom ran into trouble with the law because of the high stakes involved.

The first legal casinos were built in the United States in the early 1900s. They were financed by organized crime figures who had money from extortion and other criminal activities. As the business of casinos developed, legitimate businesses such as hotel chains and real estate investors became involved, buying out mob ownership and removing the seamy image associated with gambling.