A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons can gamble for money on games of chance or skill. Gambling is legal in many jurisdictions, and casinos are commonplace around the world. These establishments often offer dining, entertainment and other amenities such as swimming pools, to attract customers. The casino business is a global industry with a number of prominent international companies.
A casino has a house edge over the players in most games, and this advantage can be quantified using mathematical formulae (known as gaming math) that establish the expected value of each bet. The house edge is typically expressed as a percentage, and the corresponding profit margin is called the house advantage. The house advantage can vary depending on the game, its rules and its payout structure. Casinos also have a variety of security measures in place to prevent cheating by both patrons and employees. These may include a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department.
The word casino is derived from the Italian casona, meaning small country house. It was first used in the second half of the 19th century to refer to a collection of gaming or gambling rooms. The best-known example is the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco, which opened in 1863. European casinos generally focus on roulette and blackjack, while American casinos emphasize slot machines and table games like craps and poker. Asian casinos tend to specialize in traditional Far Eastern games, such as sic bo and fan-tan.