A casino is an establishment that offers gambling activities. It can be a standalone building or part of a larger complex, such as a hotel, resort, or restaurant. Usually, casinos feature various table games and slot machines. They can also offer sports betting and other forms of gambling. Some casinos also have entertainment venues for concerts or stand-up comedy acts.
In the United States, the first modern casinos were built in Nevada in the 1950s. They were funded by mobsters, who saw the potential to draw in large numbers of Americans by creating a destination for gamblers. At the same time, real estate investors and hotel chains saw the potential profits to be made from casinos. Unlike the mob, which was willing to let its tainted reputation precede it, legitimate businesses were more concerned about losing their gaming licenses at even the hint of mafia involvement.
Casinos take a number of steps to keep their patrons happy, including offering free food and drink. Some use chips instead of cash, which reduces the risk that a patron will leave with large sums of money. Other casinos employ sophisticated surveillance techniques, with catwalks above the casino floor allowing security to look down, through one-way glass, on the players at the tables and slots. Casinos also make profit by running poker rooms, where patrons play against each other and the house earns a commission, known as the rake.