A Casino is a building where people can gamble and play games of chance. Some casinos are very luxurious, with opulent suites and spas. Others are more like an amusement park, with lighted fountains and elaborate themes. A casino is a place to have fun and win money, but it can also be a dangerous place.
The casino industry is a huge business, with billions of dollars in profits for the owners every year. Most of the profits come from gambling, with slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and other games providing the excitement that attracts customers. While musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels help to draw people in, casinos would not exist without the games of chance.
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in the oldest archaeological sites. However, the casino as a facility where people could find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof did not develop until the 16th century. Italian aristocrats held private parties at gambling houses called ridotti, and despite the fact that this type of gambling was technically illegal, government authorities rarely bothered them [Source: Schwartz].
Most modern casinos are built on a similar model to the Ridotti, with table games such as baccarat, chemin de fer, blackjack and poker taking center stage. Casinos usually accept all bets made within certain limits, so that patrons cannot lose more than the house can afford to pay out. To maximize profit, casinos establish mathematical odds for each game that provide a house advantage. In games that have an element of skill, the house also earns money through a commission known as the rake.