A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. The term may also refer to a place that hosts gambling-related activities, such as card games and table games like blackjack and roulette. It may also include places where a variety of other entertainment activities take place, such as restaurants and stage shows.

Gambling in some form is present in most societies. It is a form of recreation for some and a source of income for others. The exact origin of gambling is unknown, but it is believed that it began in ancient Mesopotamia. The word casino is believed to be derived from the Italian word for “little house.”

Modern casinos often feature multiple gambling opportunities such as slots, video poker, baccarat, craps, roulette, blackjack, and keno. They may also offer far eastern games such as sic bo (which spread to several European and American casinos during the 1990s) and fan-tan. Casinos also often offer a variety of card games that are unique to them, such as Caribbean stud poker and pai gow.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within casinos, patrons and staff are often tempted to cheat and steal from each other and from the establishment itself. Because of this, casinos employ a number of security measures to protect their assets and patrons. These include cameras, security personnel, and rules of conduct for players. Casinos also offer a number of incentives to encourage patrons to spend more than they intend to, including free and discounted show tickets, meals, transportation, and hotel rooms.