A casino, or gambling house, is an establishment that offers various forms of gambling. Most casinos feature a variety of games of chance, including slot machines, roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and poker. Some casinos also offer other entertainment, such as live music or stand-up comedy. In some places, the games played in casinos are regulated by law.
The precise origin of casino gambling is unknown, but it is believed that some form of gaming has existed in most societies throughout history. Modern casino gaming is primarily electronic, with many different types of video and reel slots being commonplace in casinos today. In addition, casinos often feature table games such as baccarat (in its popular chemin de fer variant), poker, blackjack, and the European continental game of trente et quarante. Some casinos may also offer traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo, fan-tan, and pai gow.
Gambling houses are often located in areas with high traffic and tourist attractions, such as resorts, hotels, or shopping centers. In the United States, many of these are found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Increasingly, casinos are being built on American Indian reservations, as these facilities are not subject to state antigambling laws.
Because of the large amounts of money that are handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. This is why most casinos spend a significant amount of time, effort and money on security.