The word casino is most often associated with gambling establishments, but the term may also refer to any venue that features live entertainment. These include theatres, amphitheaters, casinos, and even cruise ships.

The casino industry is a multibillion dollar business that encompasses everything from elegant Las Vegas megacasinos to small outposts in the middle of nowhere. Regardless of their size or location, all casinos share certain similarities: they are all places where people gamble by playing games of chance.

Gambling, in all its forms, has been a part of human culture for millennia. The earliest evidence dates back to 2300 BC China, when wooden blocks were used for games of chance. Dice came into use around 500 AD, and later, in the 1400s, the first game still played at many modern-day casinos-baccarat-first rose to prominence. Casinos, however, are unique in that they offer a much more complex form of gambling than simply rolling dice or placing bets against the house.

Casinos are designed to appeal to all of the senses. Bright lights, flashing machines, and a constant flow of noise keep patrons enticed to play. Some games even have a social aspect, with players shouting encouragement to one another or taking turns at the same table. In addition to games of chance, casinos also feature table games that involve a degree of skill (such as blackjack or roulette), and a number of different poker variants.

The average casino gambler is a forty-six year old woman from a high income household. She is most likely to visit a casino when it is close to home, as evidenced by the many shuttle buses and limo services that run 24 hours a day from cities across America to the casinos of Las Vegas. In order to attract these customers, casinos frequently give away free show tickets, meals, hotel rooms, and even airline tickets to those who make large bets or spend long periods of time at the tables. This is known as comping.