A casino is a place where people gamble and play games of chance. It is also a place where people come to socialize and enjoy the entertainment that is offered.

Gambling has been around for as long as human beings have, with primitive protodice (carved knuckle bones) and dice found in the oldest archaeological sites [Source: Schwartz]. The modern casino developed from these early gambling halls during the 16th century, when a gaming craze swept Europe and led to the creation of public venues where multiple types of games could be played under one roof.

Modern casinos typically feature a wide range of table games, such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. They may also offer electronic versions of these games. Many of them also host live tournaments for a variety of card and dice games. The games that a casino offers depend on its geographic location and local culture. Asian casinos, for instance, often feature traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo, fan-tan, and pai gow.

Because of the large amounts of money that are handled within a casino, there is always the possibility of cheating or stealing by patrons and employees. In order to reduce these risks, casinos invest a great deal of time and money in security measures. These measures may include cameras, security personnel, and rules of conduct. Some casinos even have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look down on the activities in the casino through one-way glass.