A casino is a gambling establishment that offers roulette, gaming tables for card games and dice, slot machines, and other types of gambling. Many casinos also offer other forms of entertainment, such as shows and restaurants. Most casinos are built near or combined with hotels, resorts, retail shopping, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are even located on cruise ships or at racetracks.

Although gambling probably predates written history, the modern casino as a venue for multiple forms of wagering under one roof did not emerge until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe and Italian nobles created “ridotti” where they could play various games of chance with friends and servants. The first modern casinos were essentially extensions of these ridotti, with a variety of games offered to patrons inside a large room.

Casinos generate billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors, and Native American tribes that own and operate them. They also provide employment and tax revenues to local communities. The success of casinos attracts tourists and can even boost the economy of a city or region.

While musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotel accommodations help draw customers to casinos, the vast majority of revenue is generated by games of chance. In the United States, the most popular casino games include slots, blackjack, poker, and craps. Players bet against the house, and winnings are based on probability and mathematical expectation. Some casinos reward high-volume players with comps such as free food and drinks, hotel rooms, show tickets, limo service and airline tickets.