A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Many casinos offer a wide variety of games, such as blackjack, roulette, poker, and bingo, and some even feature live entertainment like concerts and stand-up comedy. Some casinos are integrated into hotels, resorts, or other tourist attractions, and some are standalone buildings. The term casino may also refer to an establishment in which gambling is legalized, such as in Nevada.
In the United States, casinos are primarily operated by large corporations. Some are located in the midst of tourist destinations, such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, while others are in cities with a significant population of gamblers, such as New Orleans and Chicago. In some states, casinos are operated by local governments or tribal entities.
Casinos make money by charging a small percentage of each bet to the players, a practice known as vigorish or rake. This advantage can vary from game to game but is generally lower than two percent. Casinos also generate revenue by selling hotel rooms, food and drinks, and merchandise. They also make money from the fees collected from patrons using credit cards.
Gambling probably predates recorded history, but the modern casino as a place for people to find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof did not appear until the 16th century. Prior to that, wealthy Italian aristocrats would gather in private clubs called ridotti for social occasions and to gamble.