A casino is a building or room where people can gamble. Gambling in all its forms has been a part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of dice-playing dates back to 2300 BC in China, and card games appeared in the 1400s.

Many casinos feature live entertainment. In Las Vegas, Caesars Palace is known for its famous residencies, with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Celine Dion performing at the Colosseum. Caesars also features a large variety of table and slot machines.

Most casino games have mathematically determined odds that give the house a permanent advantage over players, whether in a game of chance such as roulette or craps, or in a game of skill such as blackjack or video poker. In addition, the house may make money from a “rake” in games such as poker, where patrons play against each other and the casino takes a cut of each pot.

The gambling industry is subject to a number of legal and regulatory issues. Gaming machines are heavily monitored for any statistical deviations from expected performance, and the results of some table games, such as baccarat and craps, are routinely televised. In addition, the huge amounts of cash handled by casinos may be a tempting target for both patrons and staff who wish to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. For these reasons, casinos are often protected by extensive security measures. These may include closed circuit television systems, random audits of players and equipment, and surveillance cameras.