A casino is a place where people gamble, play games of chance and try their luck. While musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotels help draw people in, casinos would not exist without the billions of dollars in profits made by gambling machines and table games like blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat and keno.

Most casinos have an advantage built into the games they offer, and while that edge is often less than two percent it is enough to make a huge difference in the bottom line. That is why the casinos spend so much money and effort on security.

In addition to sophisticated video cameras that can watch every table, window and doorway, many casinos have a high-tech eye in the sky. Using technology, the casinos can monitor game results minute by minute and quickly spot any statistical deviation from expected outcomes. Casinos also use microcircuitry in betting chips to track the amount wagered on each game, and a computer system regularly monitors the outcome of each roulette spin.

While casino games of chance have been around for centuries in one form or another, they really began to take off after the American Civil War. From Atlantic City and Las Vegas to European cities like Venice, Monaco and Singapore, casino gambling has become an integral part of world culture. Even your grandmother probably takes weekend bus trips to her local casino with a group of friends.