A casino, also known as a gambling house or gaming hall, is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. These establishments are most often found in resort destinations like Las Vegas, but may also be located in other places where people are interested in gambling. Many casinos feature a variety of table games and slot machines, as well as restaurants and shows.

Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in cavemen’s dwellings [Source: Schwartz]. However, the concept of the casino as a place for people to find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof didn’t develop until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. In Italy, wealthy nobles held aristocratic gambling parties at aristocratic clubs called ridotti, which were surprisingly unperturbed by the Inquisition’s anti-gambling laws.

Casinos make money by charging players for various services and products, including drinks and food, and taking a percentage of their winnings. Most casino games have a mathematical advantage over the player, which is known as the house edge or vigorish. In games that have a skill element, such as blackjack, the house edge can be minimized by using basic strategy. Casinos also earn revenue from games that don’t involve betting against the house, such as poker, by taking a commission on winning bets, known as the rake.

Although the mob’s cash flowed steadily into Reno and Las Vegas, it became increasingly difficult for Mafia figures to control their newfound casino empires. Real estate investors and hotel chains, who had more money than the mobsters, bought out some of the casinos, eliminating Mafia involvement altogether. Federal crackdowns and the threat of losing their gambling license at the slightest hint of Mafia connections mean that legitimate businesses still keep the mob far away from their cash cows.