A casino is a gambling establishment that serves clients who play a variety of games of chance for money or prizes. Some casinos offer food and beverage service, while others specialize in one type of gambling activity or another. Most casinos are operated by private companies, although some are owned and/or run by governments. Some states regulate the operation of casinos, while others restrict or prohibit it entirely. Some casinos are located in areas that attract tourists, and some are built in or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, or other entertainment venues.
Gambling has been part of human civilization for millennia. Evidence of gambling has been found in China as early as 2300 BC, and dice appeared in Rome around 500 AD. Cards appeared in the 1400s, and modern casino gambling largely took shape in the 20th century.
Despite the fact that every game in a casino offers a mathematical expectancy, it is extremely rare for a patron to lose more than his or her initial investment. This virtual assurance of gross profit allows casinos to offer large bettors extravagant inducements, such as free spectacular entertainment, luxury living quarters, and reduced-fare transportation.
Besides providing games of chance and card games, casinos also offer other forms of gambling such as video poker and horse racing. Some casinos have catwalks above the table and slot machines, allowing surveillance personnel to look down directly on gamblers through one-way glass. Casinos have also incorporated technology into their operations, using it to improve security and increase profits. For example, chip tracking systems enable casinos to monitor bets minute-by-minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviation from the expected results.