A Casino is an establishment for gambling, which usually houses a variety of games. It may also have dining, retail, entertainment, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are integrated into hotels, resorts, or cruise ships. Others are standalone facilities, or may be located in shopping malls or other commercial establishments. Some casinos feature only table games such as blackjack and roulette, while others have a large number of slots and electronic gaming machines.
Gambling almost certainly predates the emergence of the casino, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found at the earliest archaeological sites [Source: Schwartz]. The modern concept of the casino as a place to find a wide range of gambling activities under one roof first developed in Italy during the 16th century. This grew out of a popularity for small clubs, known as ridotti, that Italian aristocrats used to host parties and socialize. Because these venues were private, they were not subject to the same anti-gambling laws as public casinos and flourished.
Despite the fact that casino gambling relies on a combination of chance and skill, many people still believe that there is something inherently wrong with this type of activity. This is why most casinos spend a lot of time, effort and money on security. Cameras and other surveillance technology are used to keep an eye on the gambling area, and staff patrol the casino to make sure that everyone is following the rules.
Some casinos reward their most frequent patrons with comps, which are free goods or services such as hotel rooms, meals, show tickets, limo service, and airline tickets. This is an attempt to entice people to visit the casino and stimulate their business. However, these perks should be clearly displayed and come with fair terms and conditions and wagering requirements.