A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. They may also host live entertainment events such as stand-up comedy shows and concerts. In some cases, casinos are owned by government entities.

Although lavish hotel suites, dazzling lights, opulent fountains and elaborate themes help lure customers, the bottom line is that casinos are really gambling houses. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and other games of chance generate the billions of dollars in profits casinos rake in every year. In this article we’ll take a look at how casinos make their money, the history of some of the most famous casinos in the world, and what you can expect if you decide to visit one.