Security at a Casino
A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons can try their luck at games of chance like roulette, poker, blackjack, craps, and slot machines. Some casinos are also known for their live entertainment events, such as concerts and stand-up comedy acts. Casinos are often found near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions.
There is something about gambling that seems to encourage cheating and scamming. That’s why casinos spend a lot of time, effort and money on security. In addition to video cameras and surveillance equipment, they have a number of other methods to keep their patrons safe. The most obvious way is to have uniformed, trained personnel that know what the expectations are for each game and how players usually play them. Then they can spot anything out of the ordinary and react quickly.
In addition to the uniformed staff, casinos use technology to monitor their patrons and the games themselves. For example, casino chips with built-in microcircuitry allow them to see exactly how much is being wagered minute by minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviation from their expected results.
While casinos may look and feel like an indoor amusement park, the vast majority of their profits come from gambling. They might lure patrons in with dazzling decor and mindblowing variety, but it’s the billions of dollars in wagers that keep them alive. The word “casino” derives from the Italian word for a little house, and some of the first ones were used as such.