A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming room is a place where people play various games of chance for money. The precise origins of casino are unclear, but it is widely believed that gambling in some form or another has been enjoyed throughout human history.
Many casinos offer a variety of games, including blackjack, roulette, poker and slot machines. Some casinos have specialty games, such as baccarat or craps, that attract players with their high payouts. Other games, such as keno and video poker, provide lower average payouts but are popular with high-volume players. Slots and (from the 1980s) video poker machines are the economic mainstay of American casinos, offering high-speed play at sums ranging from five cents to a dollar, with the ability to adjust machine settings for any desired advantage.
In addition to the traditional gambling activities, casinos often feature entertainment acts and other amenities that appeal to all types of visitors. Some of these include golf courses, nightclubs and restaurants, spas and rooftop pools, agritourism attractions, arcades and karaoke rooms.
Due to the large amount of currency handled within a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. Therefore, most casinos have security measures in place to prevent these actions. These measures typically include surveillance cameras, rules of conduct and behavior, and other techniques. Regardless of these precautions, some casinos have been the site of fraudulent activity.