A casino is a place that offers games of chance and gambling, and adds luxuries like restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to lure gamblers. There have been less lavish places that housed gambling activities, but these would still qualify as casinos if they offered the same types of entertainment and betting opportunities.

The history of the modern casino is a complex one. During the 1950s, the owners of Nevada’s Las Vegas strip realized that they needed funds to keep up with the growing popularity of their gambling destination. While legitimate businessmen were reluctant to invest their money in a gambling venture, mob figures had no such qualms and provided the bankroll for many of the new casinos. In fact, mafia leaders became personally involved in the casinos and took sole or partial ownership of some.

Gambling in the casino has a long history, beginning in ancient Mesopotamia and continuing through Rome, Greece, France and Elizabethan England. In fact, it’s possible that the first gaming establishment was a private room in a home.

Today, the casino offers an array of gambling options, including slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker and baccarat. Most of these games have a built-in advantage for the casino, and it is very rare for a game to lose. The edge can be as low as two percent, but over time it adds up. It’s this virtual assurance of gross profit that allows casinos to offer big bettors comps such as free spectacular entertainment, elegant living quarters and reduced-fare transportation.