A casino is a place where games of chance are played and money is earned or lost. While a casino may add a host of other entertainment options and luxuries to help draw in gamblers, it is the games of chance that provide the billions of dollars in profits that casinos rake in each year. This article takes a look at the history of gambling, some of the most famous casinos and their locations around the world, how casinos make money and some of the dark sides to this profitable industry.

Something about large amounts of money seems to encourage people to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. Because of this, casinos devote a lot of time and effort to security. Modern casinos usually have a physical security force and a specialized department for surveillance.

Casinos have a number of ways to reward their best customers. For example, some casinos give comps to players who spend a large amount of time at their tables or slot machines. These might include free food and drinks, show tickets or limo service. Players can ask a casino employee or the information desk for more details on how to get comped.

Gambling in one form or another has been a part of human society for millennia. The earliest evidence dates back to 2300 BC, when wooden blocks were used in Chinese games of chance, followed by dice in 500 BC and playing cards in the early 1600s. These games were the predecessors of modern casino games.