A Casino is a gambling establishment, where people can gamble in various games of chance. A Casino may also have other amenities such as restaurants, bars, hotels and spas. Often, a Casino will offer free goods and services to its patrons in order to attract more customers. These goods and services are known as comps.

Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice (cut knuckle bones) and carved six-sided dice found in archaeological sites. However, casinos as a place where people can find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof did not develop until the 16th century, during a gambling craze in Europe. During this time, Italian aristocrats would hold private parties in venues called ridotti, where they could enjoy their favorite games without the fear of prosecution by the Inquisition.

Today, casinos exist all over the world. Some are small and intimate, while others are enormous and opulent. Many of the biggest and best casinos are located in Las Vegas, with several more in Atlantic City and other locations around the United States.

As the number of casinos has grown, so too has the controversy over their impact on society. Some critics believe that casinos encourage gambling addiction, and the costs of treating compulsive gamblers outweigh any economic benefits that the casinos bring to a community. Others argue that casinos have brought prosperity to many American towns and cities by drawing tourists who would otherwise not visit other forms of entertainment.