When people hear the word casino, they probably think of one of the massive resorts in Las Vegas that ooze glamour and excitement. However, the term casino actually encompasses a much wider range of establishments. From the tiny family-owned taverns in rural Louisiana to the large gaming facilities on Native American reservations, the casinos that operate today are diverse in size and scope. Regardless of their differences, all casinos are in business to make money, and they do so in billions of dollars each year. This enormous income is enjoyed by the owners, investors, and shareholders of the casinos as well as by local, state, and national governments in the form of taxes and fees.

Gambling of some sort has been a part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of gambling exists in China dating back to 2300 BC, and dice and playing cards became popular around 500 AD. Casinos were first introduced to American society in the 1970s, and they continue to grow in popularity throughout the country, as well as internationally.

Casinos are built on the assumption that the house has a mathematical advantage over every bet placed by a patron. As a result, they rarely lose money on any particular game, and they can offer big bettors extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment, luxury transportation, elegant living quarters, etc. Casinos also employ sophisticated technology to oversee their games. For example, betting chips are wired to microcircuitry that allows them to be monitored minute by minute, and the results of roulette wheels are electronically analyzed regularly to discover any statistical deviations from their expected patterns.