Casino is a place where a variety of games of chance are played. These include slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack and craps. There is a certain amount of skill involved in some of these games, but the majority of the time the house has an edge over patrons. Casinos also make money from food, drink and other attractions, but the main source of profits is gambling.

The etymology of the word casino is traced to Italy, where it was originally used to describe small clubs where wealthy Italians would meet to gamble. While there is no evidence that the first casinos offered anything but gambling, the concept became widespread during a European-wide gambling craze in the 16th century. The term is now more often used to refer to large, luxurious establishments that offer a wide range of gambling activities under one roof.

Security is a major component of casino operations. It starts on the floor, where employees keep an eye out for blatant cheating and stealing. Pit bosses and table managers monitor each game with a more broader view, making sure that patrons aren’t taking cards or dice from other tables. Casinos often have high-tech surveillance systems in place.

The most famous casino is in Las Vegas, which offers a mix of high-end hotels, breath-taking art installations and world-class restaurants. Its glitzy reputation and the movie Ocean’s 11 have made it a popular tourist destination. Other casinos have become more common in the United States as state laws have changed to allow them. Many of these newer casinos have been built on American Indian reservations, where they aren’t subject to state anti-gambling statutes.