A casino is a public place where people can gamble and play games of chance. While it’s true that gambling predates recorded history, and primitive protodice and carved knuckle bones can be found in ancient archaeological sites, the concept of a casino as a venue where you can find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof didn’t emerge until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. Earlier, Italian aristocrats would gather in private places known as ridotti to enjoy their favorite pastime, and these are thought to be the ancestors of today’s modern casinos.

While a casino can offer a multitude of luxurious amenities, including theaters, restaurants, free drinks and dramatic scenery, its core business is gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and other games of chance provide the billions in profits that casinos rake in every year.

To ensure their profitability, casinos calculate the house edge for each game they offer, as well as its variance (how much fluctuation there is in winnings and losses). These figures are then used by mathematicians to design algorithms that prevent players from beating the casino.

Casinos also take a number of security measures to ensure the safety of their patrons and protect their assets. They use cameras to keep an eye on everyone on the floor at all times, and they have high-tech “eyes-in-the-sky” that can track suspicious activity. In addition, casino security teams patrol the floors and enforce rules of conduct.