A casino is a facility for gambling games. In the United States, casinos primarily offer table games like blackjack and roulette, as well as slot machines. Most casinos also provide entertainment and amenities to attract and keep visitors. These can include floor shows, hotel rooms and top-notch restaurants.
Gambling in some form is believed to have been a part of human civilization for millennia. Evidence of simple dice and card games dates from 2300 BC, while more complex betting systems appeared in Europe around the 1400s. The first modern casino was the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco, which opened in 1863.
The economic model of the modern casino focuses on maximizing revenue from high-volume bettors such as those who play craps and blackjack. These bettors generate a lot of income per hour compared to low-volume bettors such as those who gamble on slot machines. To prevent cheating and stealing, which is common in casino gaming, casinos use many security measures. These can range from cameras to electronic monitors that detect statistical deviations.
To encourage gamblers to spend more money, casinos offer perks such as discounted travel packages and free food and drink. The average casino patron is a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above-average income. According to a 2005 survey by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS, 51 million people—or about one-quarter of all Americans over the age of 21—visited a casino in the previous year.