As a form of entertainment, gambling has a long and storied history. It has been practiced by almost every society in the world at one time or another. Its exact origin is unknown, but it is known that it has been around for millennia. Some of the earliest records of gambling come from Ancient Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. The modern casino evolved in the United States from riverboats and floating casinos on waterways to land-based establishments such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and others.
In addition to their games, casino resorts often feature restaurants, shopping and other attractions such as live music or shows. They also offer various other services to their patrons, such as spas and gyms, gift shops and concierges. In some instances, a casino may also be used for meetings and events, such as weddings and trade shows.
Like any other business in a capitalist society, casinos exist to make money. Successful ones rake in billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors and Native American tribes that own them. In turn, state and local governments reap considerable tax revenues from the operations.
While the main purpose of a casino is to generate profits, it is also important to maintain a high level of security. Because of this, casino operators spend a significant amount of money on security measures. These include installing video surveillance systems, limiting the number of people who can enter certain areas and employing staff to monitor and deter criminal activity.