A casino is a place where gambling is legal and a wide variety of games are offered. Most of these games are based on chance, but some have an element of skill. Casinos typically offer a long-term advantage to the house, and are designed so that no single patron can win more money than the total amount wagered. They also usually take a commission, known as the rake, from the games, generating revenue for the house.
In addition to offering an array of casino games, most casinos feature restaurants and bars, free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery to help attract customers. But there are less luxurious places that house gambling activities and still qualify as casinos, such as private clubs in Venice.
Casinos are operated in cities around the world, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City in the United States. In addition, Native American casinos have grown rapidly. Due to the large amounts of currency handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. To discourage such activity, most casinos have security measures. The most obvious are cameras located throughout the facility. In addition, security personnel keep close watch on the game tables and patrons, observing betting patterns to spot suspicious activity.
Gambling has been part of human culture for millennia, with dice appearing in China in 2300 BC and card games in Italy around 500 AD. Modern casino gaming began in the 1940s with the legalization of gambling in Nevada and the expansion of the broader industry worldwide.