A casino is a building where gambling activities take place. It usually offers multiple games of chance and sometimes includes other entertaining activities such as stage shows, restaurants, free drinks and dramatic scenery.

Most casinos make their money by charging a percentage of each bet placed on games such as blackjack, craps, roulette and video poker. This fee is called the house edge. It can be very small, but it is enough to earn casinos millions of dollars every year. Some casinos also take a cut of winning bets from players, which is known as the rake.

Casinos have been around for centuries. While gambling almost certainly predates recorded history (primitive protodice and carved knuckle bones have been found), the modern casino as a place for people to find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof didn’t emerge until the 16th century. The gambling craze that swept Europe at the time led Italian aristocrats to hold private parties in spaces they called ridotti. Although technically illegal, these places were seldom bothered by authorities.

Modern casinos typically feature two specialized security departments: a physical security force and a surveillance department that operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, sometimes referred to as “the eye in the sky.” The specialized surveillance personnel know all the patterns of behavior and reactions expected at each game and can quickly spot any suspicious activity. They are also able to adjust camera focus to zoom in on specific patrons. If a patron is suspected of criminal activity, the security department can then review their actions and determine whether to prosecute the suspect.