A casino is a place to play games of chance. Although musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels help draw people to casinos, the vast majority of revenue (and profits for the owners) is made from gambling: slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and other games of chance. Some casinos specialize in one game, while others offer a wide variety of them.
Casinos use various methods to keep patrons from cheating or stealing. Some have security cameras that watch the table and floor for signs of impropriety. Other casinos have catwalks above the tables that allow security to look directly down on the gamblers through one way glass. Casinos also employ dealers and pit bosses who watch the games closely, keeping an eye out for blatant cheating techniques such as palming cards or marking dice. In addition, many casinos have a higher up person watching each person at the table, noting their betting patterns and overall bet amounts.
In the early years of the casino industry, organized crime was heavily involved in casinos. The mob provided the money to build the lavish casinos of Las Vegas and Reno, and in some cases took sole or partial ownership of the casinos. Mobster involvement tarnished the image of the gambling industry and helped give casinos their current seamy reputation.
Today, casinos use the latest technology to ensure that their patrons are safe and their games are fair. For example, many casinos now have “chip tracking,” which allows the casino to monitor each player’s bets minute by minute and alert them of any discrepancy; electronic roulette wheels are monitored to detect any erratic spinning. Casinos also use technology to prevent players from using devices that can be used to manipulate the games.
In addition to cameras and security personnel, casinos have rules that regulate how much gambling can be done on the premises, which types of games are allowed, and what kind of identification a patron must present. Some casinos have even partnered with law enforcement agencies to prevent organized crime groups from using their facilities.