A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance and, in some cases, skill. Customers gamble by playing these games and winning or losing money, and the house keeps a percentage of the total amount wagered. This is known as the “house edge.” The games of chance that casinos offer include roulette, craps, baccarat, and blackjack. Some games have an element of skill, such as poker and keno, but even these games depend on randomness for their outcome. The large amount of money handled within a casino makes both patrons and employees prone to cheating and theft, either in collusion or independently. Casinos employ a variety of security measures to combat these problems, including extensive surveillance and rules of conduct.
While musical shows, lighted fountains, and lavish hotels may draw in the crowds, casinos would not exist without games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, and other games provide the billions in profits casinos rake in every year. Casinos also attract gamblers by offering them perks like free hotel rooms, show tickets, and buffets.
Although the idea of casinos was first conceived in Europe, it was not until the 1970s that they began to proliferate throughout America. Many of the early casinos were built on American Indian reservations, as they were exempt from state antigambling laws. During the 1980s, however, many American states amended their gaming laws to permit casinos, especially in Atlantic City and New Jersey.