A casino is a place where a variety of games of chance can be played. It may add other luxuries to help attract patrons, such as restaurants and free drinks, but it is still primarily a gambling establishment. Throughout history there have been less lavish places that housed gambling activities, such as backrooms in saloons or underground passageways behind theaters.

Modern casinos typically offer a large number of slot machines, video poker, table games, and card games. Many also feature traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo (which spread to several European and American casinos during the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow. Various other local games may be found in some casinos, as well.

Casinos make money by taking a small percentage of bets, or “vig” or rake depending on the game. In addition, they provide complimentary items (“comps”) to encourage and reward gamblers who spend more than the average amount. High rollers are especially sought after and are often given luxury suites and other special amenities.

Historically, the best way to finance a casino was through organized crime. Mob figures brought in cash from drug dealing and extortion, and then invested it in casinos in cities like Reno and Las Vegas. Legitimate businessmen were reluctant to get involved, but eventually real estate investors and hotel chains with deep pockets bought out the mafia and began running their own casinos. Today, however, federal crackdowns and the fear of losing a gaming license at the slightest hint of mob involvement keep gangsters away from their old casino cash cows.