What Is a Casino?

The casino is a place to play a variety of gambling games in one location. Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice (cut knuckle bones) and even carved six-sided dice found in some of the world’s oldest archaeological sites [Source: Schwartz]. The concept of a casino as a place to find all these games under one roof, however, didn’t develop until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe and Italian aristocrats held private parties at venues known as ridotti. [Source: Schwartz]

While shopping centers, restaurants and musical shows draw people into casinos, the billions of dollars a year that American casinos rake in are largely the result of gaming. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and other games of chance provide the excitement that attracts people to these establishments and make them so profitable.

Many casinos are heavily regulated, and they have super high security that monitors players and employees to prevent cheating. In addition, the use of technology has greatly increased, with cameras constantly monitoring game tables and electronic systems allowing casino staff to watch betting patterns and quickly discover statistical deviations.

There are no Vegas-style casinos within the city limits of Austin, but there are plenty in nearby cities and towns where you can try your luck. The Grand Z Casino Hotel in Black Hawk, for example, is the newest American casino in Colorado, and it caters to music fans by offering entertainment lounges where bands play live. In addition to slots and table games, it offers blackjack, three card poker, no collection EZ baccarat, Mississippi Stud poker, and more.