A casino is a facility where people can gamble on games of chance. The games that can be found in casinos include slot machines, poker, baccarat, blackjack and roulette. In addition to gambling, some casinos also offer entertainment and dining. Some of the best known casinos in the world are in Las Vegas, but there are others in cities such as Monaco, Singapore and Paris.

Gambling has existed in some form for most of human history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice among the oldest archaeological evidence. The modern casino evolved from an early Italian private clubhouse for aristocrats called a ridotto, where gambling was the main attraction. It was illegal in many places, but the wealthy could often operate a casino without fear of legal repercussions.

Today’s casino is often more like an indoor amusement park than a traditional gaming house, with dazzling lights and high-end shopping areas as well as a variety of games. While these amenities add to the appeal, casinos would not exist without the billions of dollars that are raked in each year from patrons betting on games of chance.

Despite the large amounts of money that change hands, casinos are not immune from cheating and theft. Because of this, security is a major concern. Cameras are usually positioned throughout the casino and can be adjusted to focus on specific suspects. In addition, dealers and pit bosses watch the table games closely, watching for blatant cheating techniques such as palming, marking or switching cards and dice.