A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. Casinos may also have other entertainment features, such as restaurants, bars, and a variety of other amenities for their guests. The most common casino game is slot machine, but a casino may also offer poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and other table games. Some casinos are also known for their live entertainment, such as musical shows and stage acts.
Casinos can be found around the world and are often a major draw for tourists and business travelers. Some are built as standalone facilities, while others are integrated into hotels, resorts, or cruise ships. In the United States, the legal age to gamble in a casino varies by state. Some states have a minimum age of 18, while others have a higher minimum age requirement, such as 21.
In the past, many casinos were run by organized crime syndicates or “mobsters”. However, mob control began to wane as hotel and real estate developers realized the profits that could be gained from a casino. Casino owners with deep pockets, such as Donald Trump and the Hilton hotel company, bought out the mobsters and established legitimate casinos. Federal crackdowns on gambling and the threat of losing a casino license at any hint of mafia involvement, further help to keep casinos free from mob influence.
While gambling in some form has probably existed since the beginning of recorded history, the modern casino as a gathering place for various types of gaming did not develop until the 16th century during a time of widespread European gambling mania. Even then, the concept was not well-established until the 1930s when Nevada and Atlantic City became casino destinations.