A casino or gambling house is an establishment that offers various types of gambling. It may also offer food and drink, entertainment, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. A casino may be located in a hotel, vacation resort, or standalone facility. It may feature a variety of games, including poker, roulette, blackjack, craps, and baccarat. Other games, such as video poker, are based on chance but have elements of skill. The house has an advantage in most games, which is known as the house edge. It is possible to reduce this advantage by playing games with lower house edges, such as blackjack and baccarat.

Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in archaeological sites. The casino as a place where people could find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof, however, did not develop until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. Italian aristocrats often met at private clubs called ridotti, where gambling was the main activity.

Today, casinos are large and glamorous, with many offering hotel rooms, restaurants, shopping centers, and other amenities. They attract millions of visitors each year, and make billions in profits from gambling. While a casino’s amenities may draw in customers, it is the games that keep them coming back. This article will take a look at what games are played in casinos, how they make money, and the dark side of the industry.