A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment offering various types of gambling. It may also offer other forms of entertainment such as live music and shows. Modern casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. Casinos are usually protected by a security force and specialized surveillance departments. In some cases, casinos are operated by government-sanctioned or private organizations.

Gambling in one form or another has been a part of human culture for millennia. The earliest evidence comes from 2300 BC China, where archaeologists discovered wooden blocks used for games of chance. Dice appeared in 500 BC, while playing cards were introduced in the 1400s. Today, gamblers can choose from a wide variety of casino-based games, including poker, blackjack, roulette and craps.

In addition to the usual range of table games and slot machines, many casinos offer sports betting. Winstar World Casino in Oklahoma, for example, has a dedicated area where guests can flick a few coins on American football, boxing, martial arts and soccer, alongside more traditional casino fare like baccarat, craps and roulette.

Aside from sports betting, casinos make most of their money from the “house edge” on their table games. This percentage varies widely depending on the game, the rules and the number of decks of cards in use. In card games with an element of skill, such as blackjack, the house edge is generally less than one percent. However, in games of pure chance, such as craps and roulette, the advantage is considerably higher.