The Casino is an online resource for gambling enthusiasts. The site covers everything from game rules to strategies and history. It also offers a comprehensive list of the best casinos around the world.

While gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, it didn’t formally become a casino phenomenon until the 16th century with the rise of Italian aristocratic gambling houses called ridotti [Source: Schwartz]. The popularity of these private clubs encouraged other Europeans to seek out their own gaming venues where they could play a variety of games under one roof.

During the 1980s and ’90s, more American states passed laws permitting casinos, especially on Indian reservations which were not subject to state antigambling laws. In addition, casino gambling has spread to many countries in Europe and Asia.

Casinos are a popular tourist attraction, and they often draw in business travelers as well as locals who are looking to spend some time on the town. However, a number of studies indicate that the economic benefits of casinos to a community may be outweighed by the cost of treating problem gamblers and lost productivity caused by compulsive gambling.

The Monte Carlo, which features Belle Epoque architecture, is famous for being the casino where James Bond’s baccarat scenes were filmed in several movies. It also offers a variety of other casino games, including roulette, poker and blackjack. The casino is monitored by security personnel, who keep a close eye on patrons to spot blatant cheating such as palming, marking or switching cards and dice. Computerized systems can monitor the amount of money wagered minute-by-minute on table games and quickly discover any statistical deviations from expected results. These programs are developed by mathematical experts called gaming mathematicians and gaming analysts.