A casino is a facility designed for certain types of gambling activities. These establishments are frequently located near or integrated with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. In addition to gambling, some casinos are renowned for offering live entertainment, including stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports events.
In 1917, Casinò di Campione was founded in the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia, serving as a site to gather information from foreign diplomats during World War I.
In 1931, gambling was legalized throughout the state of Nevada, leading to the establishment of the first legalized casinos in the United States.
In 1933, the original building of Casinò di Campione was constructed. It remained in use until the new premises were built in 2007.
On July 15, 1964, the historic Dragonara Palace in Malta was opened as a casino, located at the princely residence of Dragonara.
In 1976, New Jersey allowed gambling in Atlantic City, making it the second largest gambling city in the United States after Las Vegas.
When it opened in 1989, The Mirage was the first casino to use cameras full-time on all table games, setting a new standard for security in casinos.
In 2004, a report by the US Department of Justice found that local crime rates often double or triple within three years of a casino's opening. The report also highlighted a higher percentage of problem gamblers among arrestees in Las Vegas and Des Moines compared to the general population.
In 2007, Casinò di Campione moved into new premises covering more than 55,000 square meters, making it the largest casino in Europe at the time.
In 2011, investigative reports began to question whether modern-day slot machines are addictive, raising concerns about their impact on gamblers.
In 2011, the accumulated revenue of the biggest casino operator companies worldwide amounted to almost US$55 billion. SJM Holdings Ltd. led with $9.7 billion, followed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. with $7.4 billion, and Caesars Entertainment with $6.2 billion.
On September 30, 2015, a survey by the Vietnamese Institute for Sustainable Regional Development revealed that 71% of respondents believed allowing Vietnamese individuals to access casinos would increase the number of players, with positive impacts on job opportunities and investment attraction.
As of 2022, Vietnam had nine operating casinos, including notable ones like Đồ Sơn casino, Hoàng Gia casino, and Phú Quốc casino.
In 2022, the top American casino markets by annual revenue were identified, highlighting the major hubs of casino activity in the United States.