A casino is a place where people gamble through games of chance or skill. Craps, roulette, baccarat, blackjack and video poker are all popular casino games that bring in billions of dollars in profits every year. Casinos also provide a variety of other entertainment options such as musical shows, shopping centers and elaborate hotels. However, the vast majority of a casino’s profits are generated by gambling.

Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in many archaeological sites. But the modern concept of a casino didn’t emerge until the 16th century, with the rise of Italian aristocratic social clubs called ridotti that were used for gambling and other entertainment purposes. [Source: Schwartz]

The first casinos were run by organized crime groups, but after a while wealthy investors and hotel chains realized how lucrative they could be. These businesses grew to be so powerful that they were able to buy out the mob and become independent of it. They also instituted rules that would keep them from being tainted by any hint of mob ties. For example, they started using chips instead of actual money to make it less tempting for gamblers to leave with their winnings.

Some casinos even give out free items to gamblers, called comps, in order to encourage them to stay and play longer. These can include free hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows and even limo service or airline tickets.