A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are most often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment events such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports.
Gambling in some form has been a part of human culture for millennia. The earliest evidence comes from 2300 BC China, when archeologists found wooden blocks used for games of chance. Dice appeared around 500 AD, followed by the game still played today, baccarat. The modern casino is founded on games of chance, but skill can play a role as well.
Most casino games have a certain mathematical expected value to the house, which can be referred to as the house edge or vigorish. The difference between the expected value and the actual payout is a casino’s profit. In games of skill, such as poker, the house may collect a rake or take a commission called the vig.
Casinos are heavily regulated in many jurisdictions. They are usually supervised by a dedicated security department and are closely monitored through cameras and other technological means. For example, some casinos use “chip tracking” systems to monitor betting chips minute-by-minute and alert managers if they depart from their expected values; roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any anomaly in their statistical results; and many table games have rules requiring players to keep their hands visible at all times, reducing opportunities for cheating or collusion.