A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons play games of chance and try to win money. Though casinos add many luxuries to their facilities to draw in customers, the vast majority of the billions in profits the industry rakes in every year is generated by games of chance. Casinos feature games of chance like slot machines, blackjack, roulette, poker and craps, as well as sports betting and non-gambling entertainment.
While the exact origin of casino is unknown, it is generally believed to have been around for as long as people have enjoyed wagering on games of chance and luck. Gambling in some form or another has been a popular pastime for nearly every civilization that has existed throughout history.
The modern casino is a massive complex featuring spectacular architecture, beautiful decor and a mindblowing number of different gambling games. These facilities also feature restaurants, hotels, bars and non-gambling game rooms for patrons to enjoy while they play their favorite games of chance. While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers help lure in visitors, casinos would not exist without games of chance.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, security is a major issue for this type of facility. Security guards keep a close eye on the floor to make sure patrons are not cheating or stealing from each other, either in collusion or by themselves. Additionally, dealers are closely watched by a pit boss or other higher-up, making sure they are not manipulating the results of their games in any way.