A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming hall, is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Modern casinos generally feature slot machines and/or table games such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. They may also offer entertainment shows. Casinos are usually located in or near hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. Some are owned by local governments, while others are operated by private corporations or Native American tribes. Gambling in all its forms has been a part of human civilization for millennia. The earliest recorded evidence of it comes from China, where archeologists discovered dice and other game items in 2300 BC. Card games were popular in ancient Rome and were eventually replaced in the 1600s by what is now known as blackjack.
Today, the gambling industry generates billions of dollars annually for private companies, investors, and casino owners. Many states have legalized it, while others have prohibited it or restricted its growth. Casinos often have security departments that patrol the premises and respond to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious activity. They also have specialized surveillance departments that operate closed circuit television systems.
Successful casinos maximize profits by focusing on customer service and attracting high-spending customers. For example, they provide perks such as free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets, and merchandise to encourage customers to gamble more money. They also target the highest-spending patrons, who are known as high rollers, and give them special treatment and access to exclusive games.
While some casinos are built around a single game, such as craps or blackjack, the majority are themed after other forms of entertainment. In addition to having a wide variety of slot machines and table games, many of them feature live entertainment such as musical performances or comedy acts. Some are even named after famous entertainers.
In addition to providing entertainment, many casinos are major employers and provide numerous benefits to their employees. The average salary for a casino employee is more than $36,000 per year. However, the wages vary by position and location. For example, the pay for a security guard at a Las Vegas casino is far higher than that of an employee at a small town casino.
In the United States, many casinos are owned and operated by Indian tribes. Those on reservations are exempt from state gambling laws. In addition, the government gives them tax breaks. In the 1980s, tribal casinos began to open in other states, including New Jersey and Atlantic City. During this time, many state legislatures changed their antigambling laws to permit them. As of 2010, there are more than 3,000 casinos in operation worldwide.