A casino is a place where games of chance can be played and gambling is the primary activity. While casinos add other luxuries to attract customers, including restaurants, stage shows and dramatic scenery, they would not exist without games of chance such as slot machines, blackjack, poker, roulette, craps and keno that generate the billions in profits that casinos bring in every year.
While gambling in some form probably predates recorded history, the modern casino as a place where gamblers can find a wide variety of ways to wager under one roof did not develop until the 16th century when a gambling craze swept Europe. These establishments, known as ridotti in Italy, were usually private clubs for aristocrats who used them to socialize while gambling and drinking.
The word casino is derived from the Latin castra, meaning “fortress.” The best-known example of a casino in the world is the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, which opened in 1863. The casino has been a significant source of income for the principality of Monaco ever since.
The most common casino games are slots, table games and video poker. In addition, some casinos also offer sports betting and even a hotel. Some of these are just a few hours away from Atlanta, so you can plan a quick getaway and enjoy some gaming action. Here are five of the top casinos near Atlanta that offer slot machines, table games and more. They are also safe to play and have a sleek user interface that translates well to mobile devices.
