What Is a Casino?

A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. It may also contain non-gambling entertainment, such as restaurants and bars. The word casino derives from the Latin “caios,” meaning “hazard.” Gambling certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice (cut knuckle bones) and carved six-sided dice found at archaeological sites. The first casinos developed in the 16th century during a gambling craze among Italian aristocrats who formed private clubs called ridotti [Source: Schwartz]. Every game offered by a casino has built in mathematical odds that give the house a small profit over time, or expected value (EV). The house’s edge is known as the vig or rake. Casinos make money by charging customers for various services, such as food, drinks and smoking cigarettes while gambling.

While the term casino is most often applied to large gambling houses in cities such as Las Vegas and Monte Carlo, smaller establishments exist throughout the world. Regardless of size, most casinos offer similar luxuries to attract customers. These perks can include hotel rooms, free drinks and even stage shows.

Casinos rely on a combination of technology and rules to enforce security. Cameras monitor gaming areas for suspicious behavior and card sleights. In addition, the rules of each game require that players keep their cards visible at all times. Casinos also employ dealers who follow strict routines and patterns when dealing cards. This makes it easy for security personnel to spot anomalies, especially when compared with a dealer’s normal actions.