A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Unlike other gaming establishments, such as racetracks or horse-racing facilities, casinos offer the possibility of winning real money through game play. Whether by skill or luck, players can gamble at these gambling venues on anything from roulette and blackjack to video poker and craps. In addition to games of chance, casinos may also have restaurants and bars, which are often open to non-gamblers.
The word casino derives from the Latin casinum, meaning “house of games.” Traditionally, these buildings were used for music and dancing, but in the 19th century began to include gambling rooms. The Monte Carlo Casino, which opened in 1863, is one of the best known examples of a casino.
Despite the reputation of casinos as glamorous places to lose your hard-earned cash, they’re actually a great place to have fun and socialize with friends. Moreover, playing casino games, especially those that require strategic decisions, can help improve your mental acuity and confidence.
The following lexicon entries have been programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘casino.’ For more information about how these listings are created and maintained, please see the Wiktionary FAQ.