A Casino is a place where different types of gambling games are played. While modern casinos add a host of luxuries like restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to the mix, they are still gambling establishments at heart. The etymology of the word casino points back to Italy where it originally pointed to villas, summerhouses or social clubs. In fact, the very first official casino in Europe opened in 1638 in a Venetian church with only aristocrats allowed to participate.
A modern casino is often built around a theme with a variety of different games to appeal to its clientele. Some of the most popular include slots, blackjack, roulette and craps. The best ones also feature dedicated poker rooms and high-limit tables for bigger bettors. In addition, they will usually have a number of electronic surveillance systems for observing the games.
In some casinos, players may be rewarded for their play with comps. These are free goods or services given to loyal customers by the casino such as free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets and limo service. The value of a comp depends on how much time and money a player spends at the casino.
Although gambling has been around for centuries, the modern casino as we know it arose in the 16th century during a huge gambling craze in Europe. Italian aristocrats used to gamble in private clubs called ridotti, where the activities were technically illegal but they were rarely bothered by authorities [Source: Schwartz]. Today casinos can be found all over the world and are a major source of entertainment for millions of people. However, some studies indicate that casinos drain local economies as they shift spending from other forms of entertainment and that the cost of treating problem gambling addicts often reverses any economic gains from gambling.