A casino (or gaming house) is an establishment that offers various types of gambling. The casino industry is regulated by governments worldwide and is a major source of revenue for many countries. Casinos often offer entertainment in addition to their gambling operations and some even serve food and beverages. Some casinos are also known for hosting live events such as concerts and sporting contests.

In modern times, casino games have become increasingly sophisticated and incorporate technology such as microcircuitry. Chip tracking allows casinos to monitor wagers minute-by-minute and warn players of any suspicious activity; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviation from expected results. Some games, such as blackjack and baccarat, are dealt by human dealers while others, such as craps, are played by computerized terminals.

While the precise origins of gambling are obscure, it is widely believed that gambling in some form has existed in almost every society throughout history. Historical evidence of gambling can be found in Ancient Mesopotamia, Rome and Greece, Napoleon’s France and Elizabethan England, among other places.

The casino industry is a multibillion-dollar business and, in the United States, is concentrated mainly in Las Vegas, Nevada; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Chicago. Other cities with significant casinos include Denver, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Online casinos have gained increasing popularity during the 2010s, with many offering large sign-up bonuses and other incentives to attract players. Gambling addiction is a serious problem, and some casinos have established programs to assist their patrons with gambling addiction.