A casino (or gaming hall, spelt with an accent over the second ‘a’) is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. The name is derived from the Latin casin
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in archaeological sites [Source: Schwartz]. However, the modern casino as an establishment where patrons can find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof didn’t appear until the 16th century during a gambling craze in Europe that was popular among Italian aristocrats. They would hold private parties at venues known as ridotti.
Today’s casinos are primarily large commercial enterprises with a significant focus on customer service. They offer a wide range of casino games, including poker, blackjack, slots, and roulette. Most also offer sports betting. A small number of casinos offer traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo and fan-tan.
Most casinos make money by charging a commission on bets, or “vig”, or by taking a cut of the money wagered on video poker and certain table games. This profit, plus the house edge on all other games, provides a virtual guarantee of gross revenue. In addition, many casinos reward big bettors with complimentary items or services such as free rooms, dinners, show tickets and limo or airline tickets.