What is a Casino?

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A casino is a place where people can play various games of chance for money. In most cases, the games of chance have a built in advantage for the house, which is called the “house edge.” This means that over time, the average player will lose money. To offset this, casinos often give players complimentary items or comps for their play, such as free hotel rooms, meals or tickets to shows.

Casino may also refer to:

Although gambling likely predates recorded history (primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice have been found in archaeological digs), the modern casino as an establishment where people can find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof is generally considered to have emerged in the 16th century, during a period when European aristocrats hosted parties at places known as ridotti, where gambling was a primary activity [Source: Poley]. Today’s casinos are designed with high levels of security, including cameras and sophisticated surveillance systems that allow security personnel to see what’s going on inside and outside a game room from a central control room. Some even have catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance staff to look down, through one way glass, on players at the tables and slot machines. In addition, most state laws include a requirement that casinos display responsible gambling signage and provide contact information for organizations that can offer specialized support. These efforts are designed to help people who have a problem with gambling, which can be detrimental to their health and financial well-being.