A casino is a place where gambling is legal and where a variety of games of chance can be played. Although casinos have added a lot of other things to make them more attractive to gamblers, such as restaurants, stage shows and dazzling scenery, they still depend on games of chance for the majority of their income. Almost certainly there were places that housed gambling activities long before the modern casino was invented, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice among the oldest archaeological finds. But the modern concept of a casino emerged in the 16th century during a huge gambling craze, when Italian aristocrats would hold private parties at places called ridotti [Source: Schwartz].
A modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults. It provides entertainment and profits for its owners by drawing in large crowds of people to play slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno. The most famous casino in the world is located in Las Vegas, though there are many others throughout the United States and around the world.
While a casino is an exciting and glamorous place, it also has its dark side. In the past, some casinos were run by organized crime groups or even mobs. Today, most casinos operate legally and provide a safe and entertaining environment for their customers. In order to protect their assets, many casinos employ sophisticated security measures. In addition to video cameras and other high-tech equipment, most casinos use patterns of behavior to spot suspicious activity. Observing how players interact with each other, how dealers deal cards, where they place their bets on the table and whether or not they wear hats can help security personnel keep an eye out for trouble.