A casino, also known as a gambling house or gaming house, is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance for money. Some casinos also offer restaurants and stage shows. Casinos are legal in some countries and have become a major source of income for the country, city and region where they are located. The earliest known casino was built in 1863 in Monaco. It was designed by the architect François Blanc, who later designed the Hôtel de Paris in France and many other famous buildings.
A large number of people visit casinos every year, and they generate huge amounts of revenue for the businesses, corporations, investors, and Native American tribes that own them. They are also a popular tourist attraction. The earliest casinos were run by organized crime groups, and mob control of them has decreased as real estate developers, hotel chains, and businessmen with deep pockets have purchased them out and opened more lucrative venues.
Casinos are in the business to make money, and they succeed by offering their patrons a variety of inducements, such as free spectacular entertainment, luxury hotel rooms, reduced-fare transportation, and drinks and cigarettes while gambling. Each game offers a mathematical expectation of winning that, in combination with other factors, earns the casino its gross profit.
In addition to the obvious attractions, casino managers spend billions on building elaborate architectural wonders that include fountains, giant pyramids, towers, and replicas of famous landmarks, all meant to attract attention and drive foot traffic. They also develop player-tracking computer systems that tally up points that can be exchanged for free meals, shows, and slot play, or even for cash.