What Happens Inside a Casino

The word Casino means a public place where games of chance are played. While elaborate themes, free drinks and stage shows draw in the crowds, casinos would not exist without the billions of dollars raked in each year by slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno. This article takes a look at what happens inside casinos, how they stay safe and the dark side of gambling.

Gambling has long been a popular pastime in the United States. Many Americans have a love for slots, table games and poker. However, casinos are a big business that make a lot of money and the profits of each game are built into the house edge. There are other factors that contribute to the profitability of casinos, including the fact that the casino is a destination place and brings in local customers who might otherwise spend their entertainment dollars at other establishments. A major source of revenue is from the five percent of gamblers who are addicted. This disproportionately bolsters the bottom line because they bet large amounts.

Because so much currency is handled within a casino, it can be tempting for employees and patrons to steal. This is why most casinos have security measures in place. These range from window and door security to high-tech surveillance systems. Electronics in the betting chips can monitor and record every single wager, while sophisticated video cameras provide an “eye-in-the-sky” view of the entire casino floor. Statistical deviations are quickly discovered in this type of system, which has become known as chip tracking.