A casino is a gambling establishment, but it also houses restaurants and nightclubs. The word is also used in non-gambling contexts to mean a public hall or meeting place for certain types of entertainment, such as stand-up comedy. It may also refer to an officer’s mess, which is a social gathering for military personnel.

Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in archaeological digs, but the modern casino as a central hub for different gambling games didn’t take shape until the 16th century when a craze for them swept Europe. These ‘ridotti’ were private clubs for wealthy patrons, usually in elegant buildings, and offered a variety of betting options. The casinos accepted all bets within limits set by law and provided lavish inducements for big bettors, including free spectacular entertainment, luxurious living quarters, reduced-fare transportation, drinks and cigarettes while gambling, and other perks.

When Nevada legalized casinos in the 1950s, mobster money flowed into Reno and Las Vegas and gave them a seamy image. But as the casino business became more legitimate and federal crackdowns threatened licensing, mob money dried up. Real estate investors and hotel chains with deep pockets saw the opportunity to purchase casinos without the taint of organized crime and make huge profits.

Today, the biggest casinos are based in America and China, which combined account for more than half of the top 10 largest casinos. These venues feature the latest technology for security purposes and offer multiple ways to gamble, such as sic bo (which originated in Asia and spread to several European and American casinos during the 1990s), fan-tan, baccarat, two-up, and pai gow poker.