A casino is a public place where people can gamble on games of chance. Some casinos have a wide variety of games, while others specialize in particular types of gambling. Regardless of what game they offer, all casinos have to follow the law and ensure that their patrons are treated fairly. They also have to invest a large amount of money in security measures.

The first place in Europe that was like a modern casino was called the Ridotto, which opened in Venice in 1638. Later, the idea spread as Europeans either thought of it themselves or copied the Italians. In the United States, casino gambling began in Nevada after state legislators passed a law that allowed it. Eventually, other states legalized gambling as well, and the number of casinos grew rapidly.

Some casinos have an enormous selection of gambling games, while others focus on a specific type of gambling activity, such as poker or horse racing. Some have top-notch hotels, restaurants and other non-gambling entertainment as well. These places are often known as megacasinos.

While the term “casino” is usually associated with organized crime, legitimate businessmen soon realized that they could make a lot of money by building and operating casinos. The mob had plenty of cash from drug dealing, extortion and other illegal activities, but federal crackdowns at even the faintest hint of Mafia involvement meant that mobster ownership was eventually dropped from many casino businesses. Real estate investors and hotel chains with deep pockets bought out the mobsters and now own many of the world’s most famous casinos.