A casino is an establishment that offers various types of gambling. It is often combined with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and other entertainment venues. Some casinos are internationally renowned, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Others are locally famous, such as the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco and the Casino Lisboa in Lisbon.
Casinos are most commonly known for their games of chance. These include slot machines, blackjack, poker, roulette, craps, baccarat, and video poker. These games give the house a mathematical advantage over the players, which is known as the house edge. In addition, casinos may offer complimentary goods and services to gamblers, called comps. Casinos also charge a commission, called the rake, on some games, such as poker.
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice (cut knuckle bones) and carved six-sided dice found in ancient archaeological sites. However, the modern casino as an institution offering a variety of ways to gamble under one roof did not emerge until the 16th century during a gambling craze in Europe.
Today, casinos are large, luxurious facilities that offer nonstop entertainment and top-notch hotels and restaurants. They rely on flashy lights, bright colors, and noise to lure patrons and keep them gambling for as long as possible. They spend millions of dollars determining what sights, sounds, and scents appeal to people the most. They also employ highly trained security personnel to prevent cheating and theft by both patrons and employees.