A casino (also called a gaming house or a gambling establishment) is an establishment where people can gamble. It may contain a variety of games, such as poker, blackjack, roulette, and slot machines. Some casinos also have restaurants and hotels.

Although gambling probably predates recorded history, the modern casino as a place to find a wide variety of ways to lose money under one roof did not develop until about the 16th century. This coincided with a period when Europeans were fascinated by the potential of dice and other random chance games. Casinos vary in size, design, and layout, but most offer table games like baccarat, chemin de fer, and blackjack; slot machines; and card games such as pai gow poker and Caribbean stud.

Casinos are very lucrative businesses. They accept bets from all over the world and, with a few notable exceptions, most of their profits come from slot machines. These games are the least complex to operate; a player inserts money, pulls a handle or pushes a button, and watches as varying bands of colored shapes roll on reels (actual physical reels or video representations of them). If the right pattern appears, the player wins a predetermined amount of money.

A casino’s profitability depends on its customers’ ability to gamble for extended periods of time and to control their losses. Casinos therefore spend considerable resources on security, particularly surveillance and auditing. In addition, some casinos have incorporated a wide range of non-gambling activities and amenities for their patrons, such as deluxe hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, non-gambling games rooms, spas, and swimming pools.