A casino is a gambling establishment where people can play a variety of games of chance. These games can include table games, such as blackjack, roulette and craps, or slot machines. A casino can also feature entertainment shows. Most casinos require that people be of legal age to gamble.

Gambling probably predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in archaeological sites. But the modern casino as a central place for people to find many different ways to gamble under one roof did not develop until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. At that time, wealthy Italian aristocrats often hosted private parties in their homes called ridotti to enjoy their favorite pastime: gambling.

In order to make money, a casino must accept bets from patrons and pay out winning bettors. Because every game has a mathematical expectation of winning, it is extremely rare for a casino to lose money on a single day’s gambling activities. This is known as the house edge. Casinos can also be a source of revenue for governments and local authorities, through taxes and fees.

Despite their enormous potential for profit, casinos are vulnerable to cheating and theft by both patrons and staff. As such, most have stringent security measures in place. These can include security cameras, the use of ID verification and other technologies. In addition, most casinos enforce a code of conduct and ethics for their employees.