A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. Often, the term casino also refers to an establishment that offers other forms of entertainment, such as shows and restaurants. Casinos are a popular form of gambling and are found in many places around the world. Some are standalone, while others are part of resorts or hotels.

Gambling is a form of recreation that predates recorded history. In fact, primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice have been found at archaeological sites. The modern casino originated in the 16th century, when a gambling craze took hold of Europe. Italian aristocrats began holding private parties at houses known as ridotti, where they could enjoy various forms of gambling under one roof. This concept was later copied throughout Europe.

Casinos are generally large, heavily guarded buildings that house a variety of gaming activities. They are usually situated near high-traffic areas and/or major tourist attractions. The games offered in a casino may include poker, roulette, blackjack, craps, and more. Some casinos are operated by government-licensed entities, while others operate under private ownership.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, security is a top priority. The security staff of a casino is typically divided into two specialized departments: physical security and surveillance. Each of these departments works closely together to prevent crime at the casino. Often, surveillance officers are trained to spot suspicious behavior by observing the patterns of regular patrons. For example, players at table games tend to follow certain routines, such as placing bets at specific spots on the table or reacting in a particular way when their cards are revealed.