The Casino is a gambling establishment that offers customers the opportunity to gamble on games of chance and, in some cases, skill. The casino earns money by charging a commission, known as the vig or rake, on bets made by customers. In addition, some casinos offer complimentary items or comps to players. Casinos can be located on land or on water, in ships, airplanes and space vehicles, or even on virtual servers.

The precise origin of gambling is unknown, but it is clear that it predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved knuckle bones found at some archaeological sites. The concept of the modern casino, with a variety of ways to gamble under one roof, developed in the 16th century during a gambling craze in Italy. These private clubs, called ridotti, were a convenient way for wealthy people to gamble and socialize in public, since the law against gambling was seldom enforced [Source: Schwartz].

Because casinos handle large amounts of cash, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either collusionally or independently. To prevent this, most casinos have extensive security measures. For example, high-tech security cameras provide an “eye in the sky” that can watch every table, slot machine and doorway at once. In addition, each employee has a supervisor who watches their work and can note any suspicious activity. Gambling addiction is also a major concern for casinos, as the cost of treating problem gamblers and the lost productivity of workers who are unable to concentrate on their jobs can offset any profits from gambling.