What Is a Casino?

A casino is a gambling establishment, generally combined with other entertainment features, such as restaurants and hotels. Most countries have laws regulating the conduct of casinos.

Gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of simple dice-throwing games dates back to 2300 BC in China, and a game with cards appeared soon after in Europe.

The modern casino owes its origin to American pioneers who brought games like roulette, craps and poker to the United States in the early twentieth century. The first legal Nevada casino opened in 1931, and the industry boomed as the state liberalized its gambling laws.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, in collusion or independently. As a result, most casinos have security measures in place. These often include one or more cameras that record activity inside and around the gaming area, and security personnel who patrol the floors. Some casinos also have catwalks on the ceiling, allowing security personnel to look directly down on players at the tables and machines via one-way mirrors.

The most famous casino is the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, which was founded in 1863 and remains a major source of income for the principality. Other well-known casinos are in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City. Some cities are almost defined by their casinos, such as Monte Carlo, and others have a casino as a significant attraction within the city, such as Paris.