A Casino, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “a place where a variety of games of chance are played and gambling is the primary activity.” While modern casinos offer many luxuries to help draw in patrons — such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows — they would not exist without the billions of dollars raked in every year from the games of chance. These games, such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat, are the foundation on which the casinos operate.
There are a number of security measures employed to keep gamblers safe. The most obvious is the casino’s security cameras, which provide a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” view of every table, window and doorway. The cameras can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons by security workers in a separate room filled with banks of monitors.
Casino security also looks at patterns and routines. For example, the dealers shuffle and deal cards, and the location of the betting spots on the tables follow specific patterns. This makes it easier for security personnel to spot cheating and stealing.
In addition to security, casinos rely on the rake, or commission, that is taken from each game played by players. Some casinos also give out complimentary items, known as comps, to loyal gamblers. These can include free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows and limo service. Comps are based on the amount of money the player spends at the casino, and some casinos have programs that rate players according to their spending habits.