Casino is a modern entertainment complex that draws in millions of visitors each year. Lighted fountains, shopping centers, hotel rooms and elaborate themes all help attract gamblers. But the money that keeps casinos going comes mainly from games of chance, which include blackjack, roulette, craps and keno. These games provide the billions of dollars in profits that casinos generate annually.
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice appearing in archaeological digs. But the modern casino as a place to find a variety of gambling games under one roof did not develop until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. At that time, Italian aristocrats would hold private parties at places called ridotti.
While the house advantage on most casino games is quite small (less than two percent), that slight edge can add up over the millions of bets placed by casino patrons each year. The profits from these bets pay for the hotels, theaters, restaurants and other attractions that make the modern casino a multi-level amusement park.
The high-tech surveillance systems that are now part of many casinos help to keep out cheaters and thieves, either in collusion with casino employees or on their own. In addition to cameras, most casinos have electronic systems that oversee game play minute by minute and quickly detect any statistical deviation from expected results. This technology also helps casinos monitor and manage slot machine payouts, which are determined randomly by computer chips.