Casino, also known as a gambling house, is an establishment that houses and supports a variety of games of chance. These games can include traditional card and table games, as well as video poker and electronic gaming machines. In addition to gambling, casinos often offer restaurants, hotels, retail shopping, and other tourist attractions.
In modern times, casinos are elaborate entertainment centers that entice gamblers with everything from lighted fountains to simulated skylines and mountains. But even with all the lights, sounds and glamour of a casino, the vast majority of its profits still comes from gambling. Casino games such as blackjack, roulette, craps and slot machines provide the billions of dollars in profits raked in by casinos each year.
Although gambling probably predates recorded history, it did not become a major industry until the 16th century when a gambling craze swept Europe. In Italy, wealthy nobles would hold private parties at venues called ridotti, where they could play various gambling games without fear of legal repercussions.
Casinos are usually built in cities with large populations and a high level of tourism. In addition to providing employment opportunities, they attract people from all over the world who are looking for a quick and easy way to make money. However, critics point out that a large portion of casino revenue is generated by people who are addicted to gambling, and the economic cost of treating problem gamblers and lost productivity from gambling addicts often offsets any positive effects on the local economy.