A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance for money. The precise origins of gambling are unknown, but it is widely believed that some form of it has existed in almost every culture throughout history. Casinos are a significant source of income in many countries around the world. They are also places of entertainment and social interaction. Many casinos feature restaurants and other amenities that appeal to a wide range of patrons.

Despite the glitz and glamour, casino games are ultimately a matter of probability. Every game has a built in advantage for the casino, and over time this edge can add up to large amounts of money. The house edge is often cited as one of the main reasons that some people lose money when they gamble.

In order to prevent cheating and theft by either patrons or employees, most modern casinos use technology for surveillance. For example, some table games have betting chips with microcircuitry that interacts with electronic systems to allow the casino to oversee the exact amount of money wagered minute by minute and warn players if there is a discrepancy; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly for statistical deviations from expected results.

The opulent spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, for instance, first opened its doors to European royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago, and the casino continues to draw visitors from across the continent. More recently, the casinos of Las Vegas have become increasingly lavish. This trend can be seen in the size of their rooms and buffets, the number of slot machines, and the appearance of a variety of high-profile entertainment acts.