A casino is a place for gambling. Casinos are often associated with luxury and glamor, though they can also be places of high risk. They can include a variety of games, including card and table games, as well as non-gambling activities such as spas, hotels, restaurants, and bars. They can be very large establishments, and some are designed to be a focal point of a town or city.

Gambling probably predates recorded history, with primitive protodice (cut knuckle bones) and carved six-sided dice found in the oldest archaeological sites. But the modern casino as a place to find a wide range of ways to gamble under one roof did not develop until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. Aristocrats would hold private parties in places called ridotti (roughly translated from the Italian as “little rooms”) where they could play games like astragali and faro.

Casinos usually have security measures to prevent cheating and stealing by patrons or employees, either in collusion or independently. For example, many casinos have catwalks that run above the casino floor and allow surveillance personnel to look down through one-way glass on activities at table games and slot machines.

Casinos also have rules that prohibit certain actions, such as displaying personal items or speaking to other players. They usually have a host or hostess to welcome patrons and answer questions. In most casino poker games, a casino employee deals the cards. The casino earns money by charging a commission, known as the rake, on the amount of money wagered.