What Is a Casino?

A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. Some casinos also offer other entertainment activities, such as concerts or stage shows. Casinos can be found all over the world, including in Las Vegas and other major cities. They often feature a wide variety of gaming tables and slot machines. Some casinos are also known for their sports betting facilities.

While gambling probably existed in some form long before written history began, the modern casino as we know it didn’t emerge until the 16th century during a gambling craze in Europe. At that time, aristocrats would gather at private clubs called ridotti to enjoy their favorite games of chance and a good meal, even though gambling was technically illegal.

Modern casinos employ a combination of security measures to prevent cheating or theft by patrons or employees. The most basic measures involve cameras and other surveillance equipment, but some casinos are now using sophisticated systems like “chip tracking,” which monitors chips in real-time to discover any statistical deviations from expected values; and electronic monitoring of roulette wheels to alert staff if they’re off by more than a certain percentage.

Despite the many security measures in place, some casino patrons are still tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with other players or on their own. In such cases, casino security personnel may have to intervene physically or use a computer system called an eye-in-the-sky, which allows security workers to monitor all activity in the casino from a remote location.