A casino is a place for certain types of gambling. Most casinos combine this with hotel accommodations, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also found on American Indian reservations, where state antigambling laws do not apply. The word casino is derived from the Italian casin
Gambling probably predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved knuckle bones being discovered in archaeological sites. However, the first casinos were only developed in the 16th century when a gambling craze swept Europe. They were modeled on the Italian ridotti, small private clubs where members could enjoy a variety of gambling games.
Most casino games provide a predictable long-term advantage to the house, called the house edge. In games with a skill element, such as blackjack and poker, players can eliminate this advantage by using advanced strategies. Players that possess these skills are referred to as advantage players.
Casinos are generally staffed by employees who monitor gamblers to detect cheating or other irregularities. They use video cameras to watch all areas of the casino floor and have other security measures in place. They may also give out complimentary items or comps to gamblers, depending on how much they spend. Some examples of these include free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets or airline flights for high rollers. Many casinos also have electronic monitoring systems that enable them to oversee the amount of money wagered minute by minute and quickly discover any statistical deviations from expected results.