Casinos are places where people go to gamble. They provide other forms of entertainment as well, such as musical shows and lighted fountains, but they would not exist without games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and other table games earn casinos billions of dollars in profits each year. This article will explore some of the history of casinos, how they make money and what you might expect if you visit one.
Something about gambling—maybe the large amounts of money involved—encourages some people to cheat, steal and lie to win. That’s why casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. Modern casinos usually have two categories of security: a physical force and a specialized surveillance department. The surveillance department monitors casino patrons, watches video footage and checks statistical deviations from the norm. The surveillance room is often located above the casino floor, allowing personnel to look directly down on the game tables and slot machines through one-way glass.
Aside from observing the patrons, security personnel also enforce rules and regulations. This is especially important in the case of card games, where a dealer’s actions and motions follow certain patterns. Observing these actions makes it easy for security to spot anything out of the ordinary. It’s not uncommon for people to try to cheat, either in collusion or independently, so the vast majority of casinos have strict security measures.