The word casino is used to describe a range of gambling establishments, from massive resorts in Las Vegas to small card rooms and riverboats on waterways across the country. They provide billions of dollars in revenue each year for the corporations, investors, tribes and individuals that run them. While musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotels help draw people to these places, casinos would not exist without the games of chance that give them their profits. Slot machines, blackjack, baccarat and other popular games of chance (along with some that involve skill) make up most of the revenues.
Gambling isn’t always fair, and something about the presence of large amounts of money seems to encourage cheating, stealing and other underhanded behavior. That’s why casinos spend a lot of time, effort and money on security. Security starts on the casino floor, where employees keep their eyes peeled for anything unusual. Dealers can spot blatant tricks like palming cards or marking dice; and pit bosses and table managers have a broader view of the patrons to see if they’re following betting patterns that might signal cheating.
Casinos also use technology to monitor and control the games themselves. Chips with built-in microcircuitry allow casinos to oversee bets minute by minute, and electronic systems in roulette wheels can detect any statistical deviations from the expected results. In addition, most casinos have cameras to monitor the entire gambling floor and all patrons. Then there are the armed guards, who protect casino owners and staff from any potential problems.
