Whether they offer a wide range of slot machines, table games or poker rooms, casinos are known for their dazzling displays and glamorous appeal. But what really makes them tick? How do they earn their billions in profits every year? And how do they keep their gamblers safe? This article takes a look at what goes on behind the scenes at a casino.
Casinos attract millions of visitors from around the world who come to gamble, play games and enjoy a night out with friends. Some casinos are even featured in movies, such as the Bellagio, which was the setting for the famous Ocean’s 11 movie. But while casinos may seem like an adult playground, they are not without their dark side.
Because so much money is handled within a casino, there is always the potential for both patrons and staff to cheat and steal. To prevent these actions, casinos use security cameras and other technological devices. For example, poker chips have built-in microcircuitry to allow casinos to monitor bets minute-by-minute and warn them of any suspicious activity; roulette wheels are monitored electronically to discover quickly any statistical deviation from expected results.
Despite these measures, many casino owners are convicted of criminal charges related to fraud and racketeering. And while the casinos’ bright lights, giveaways and bling help draw in visitors, they would not exist without gambling: the rakes and vig (or house edge) earned by casino games like blackjack, roulette and craps provide the billions of dollars a year in profits that finance all those fountains, hotels and replicas of landmarks.