A casino is a place where people can play games of chance for money. Typically, casinos add other luxuries to appeal to players, such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. But less extravagant places that house gambling activities could also be called casinos.

The word casino is probably derived from Italian, and it was used in the 18th century to refer to small private clubs that hosted social occasions for wealthy members of the upper class. As the popularity of gambling grew in Europe, casinos began to open, and the name was soon applied to any public venue that offered this form of entertainment.

Something about the ambiance of casinos, which often include large amounts of cash and bright lights, seems to encourage cheating and theft by both patrons and employees. That’s why many casinos spend a great deal of time and effort on security.

The most famous of these casinos is perhaps in Monaco, which opened in 1863 and still draws royalty and aristocracy from across the continent. But even the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, has a casino that’s worthy of its name. This lavish establishment was designed to resemble the Palace of Versailles, and Marlene Dietrich once declared it the world’s most beautiful. The casino features a range of table games, and if you’re feeling lucky, you can try your hand at blackjack or roulette.