A Casino is a place where people gamble on various games of chance. It is usually crowded and noisy, with flashing lights, glamorous waitresses, luxurious rooms, restaurants and shops. Some casinos are built in hotels and resorts, while others are stand-alone facilities. Some are open around the clock, while others have specific hours of operation.

A casino is a gambling establishment, and although it may add other entertainment attractions to attract patrons, such as musical shows, shopping centers and dramatic scenery, it would not exist without the gambling aspect. The billions of dollars in profits that casinos bring in every year are derived from the gambling games like slots, blackjack, poker, craps, roulette and baccarat.

Gambling probably predates recorded history, with primitive protodice (cut knuckle bones) and carved six-sided dice found in ancient archaeological digs, but the casino as a place where gamblers could find a variety of gambling activities under one roof did not develop until the 16th century. At that time, it was popular for Italian aristocrats to hold private parties in places called ridotti.

Casinos try to keep patrons happy by offering free food and drinks, and they also use bright colors that are stimulating and cheering to the senses. They also use a lot of neon, and no clocks are visible on casino walls because they are believed to make people lose track of time. Something about gambling seems to inspire cheating and stealing, and it is the job of casino security to prevent this behavior. Casinos have a dedicated physical security force and a separate specialized surveillance department. The aforementioned departments work together to patrol the casino and respond quickly to reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity.