A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming room, is a building or room in which people gamble by playing games of chance. Games of chance include dice, roulette, card games, and slot machines. The casino industry is regulated by government statute and individual state licensing authorities.
A booming business, casinos are designed to appeal to the senses with dazzling lighting, glamorous hosts, and stimulating games of chance. The best casinos offer a high-end experience and provide a variety of dining options, luxurious accommodations, and spa services. The term casino can also refer to an establishment that specializes in certain types of games, such as video poker or blackjack.
The precise origin of gambling is unknown, but it is believed that it has existed in many societies throughout history. The modern casino is often associated with Las Vegas, but the name is also used for establishments in other cities and countries, including Macau, which is a major center of gambling in Asia.
Most casino games have a random outcome, but some have an element of skill. Casinos earn money by charging a commission for each hand dealt, or by taking a percentage of the total amount wagered on a game, known as rake. Some casinos charge a flat fee for each game played, while others collect a fixed percentage of the total amount wagered on specialized games such as baccarat or blackjack.
Casinos use a wide range of security measures. In addition to the obvious physical presence of guards and cameras, most have a specialized security department that is responsible for monitoring all activity within the casino. In the 1990s, casino security began to employ advanced technological measures. Betting chips with built-in microcircuitry are connected to computer systems that allow casinos to monitor the exact amount of money placed minute by minute, and alert them to any abnormality. Roulette wheels are routinely electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviation from expected results.
Most casinos are operated by private companies, but some are owned by governmental entities, such as Native American tribes. The United States federal government classifies casinos under NAICS code 713210. In the early 21st century, several states legalized casino gambling, and the trend has continued in recent years with a number of other states considering the issue. However, the expansion of the gambling industry has raised concerns about its effect on the economy and on social issues. These concerns have led some to call for a rethinking of the current system. Other states have opted to limit the number of casinos or restrict their locations. In some cases, these restrictions are aimed at reducing the risk of problem gambling. In other cases, they are designed to protect local business interests. For example, some states have established licensing requirements that include a requirement that casinos employ an adequate number of employees. Some have even required that casinos contribute to a fund that can be used to help problem gamblers.