A casino is a gambling establishment where a variety of gambling games can be played. It is a highly social environment, with people sitting around tables, shouting encouragement, and waiting for their turn at the slot machines. A casino offers food and drink, and it is decorated with bright and sometimes gaudy colors, which are designed to stimulate the senses and distract players from their losses.

Gambling has occurred since ancient times, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in prehistoric archaeological sites. However, a casino as a place where gamblers could find a variety of gambling games under one roof did not develop until the 16th century in Venice. There, aristocrats who enjoyed playing primitive card games and other gambling entertainment hosted parties at venues known as ridotti. Although technically illegal, the ridotti were seldom bothered by Italian authorities [Source: Schwartz].

In the United States casinos first began to open after World War II when real estate developers and hotel chains realized that they could profit from legalized gambling. The mob controlled many early casinos, but federal crackdowns and the risk of losing a gambling license at the slightest hint of mob involvement soon drove out the gangsters.

Today’s casinos employ a variety of technologies to prevent cheating and other security breaches. For example, electronic chips have built-in microcircuitry that enable casinos to monitor the exact amount wagered minute by minute and warn them of any statistical deviations; and roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly for anomalies.