A casino is a place that features games of chance and where gambling takes center stage. While many casinos feature a variety of extra luxuries such as restaurants, free drinks and spectacular scenery, they are typically defined by the gambling activities that take place within them.

Gambling has been a part of human life for millennia, with evidence of dice dating back to 2300 BC and playing cards appearing around 800 AD. However, modern casinos take a much more technological approach to their operations and security. Elaborate systems monitor casino patrons and the games themselves in an effort to discover any anomalies. For example, betting chips with built-in microcircuitry allow the casinos to oversee wagering minute by minute and notify management of any deviation; roulette wheels are monitored electronically to quickly discover statistical deviations from their expected outcomes.

In the 1960s, as casino gambling became legalized in Nevada, organized crime money flowed into Reno and Las Vegas. Mobster investors went so far as to own several casinos and exert control over operations. However, federal crackdowns and the possibility of losing a gaming license at even the slightest hint of mafia involvement ensured that legitimate businessmen bought out the mobsters.

Although some casinos specialize in certain types of gambling, most offer a variety of traditional games from different regions of the world. In addition to slots, table games such as blackjack and poker are available. Some casinos also feature traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo (which spread to European and American casinos during the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai-gow.