Modern casinos are like indoor amusement parks for adults, and the vast majority of their entertainment is derived from gambling. Most casinos are themed with elaborate decorations and props, but without games of chance, they wouldn’t exist. Roulette, blackjack, and slot machines generate billions of dollars in profits for U.S. casinos every year. Craps, roulette, and blackjack are all popular games, but baccarat is the dark side of the casino.
While this is an obvious example, casinos employ other tricks to entice patrons to gamble. They have maze-like layouts of gaming tables and slot machines, and their sound effects are designed to appeal to the sense of sight, hearing, and touch. The color red is often used in casino decorating, but its use has been linked to increased crime, including theft, since it is believed to cause people to lose track of time. However, these tricks are only partially responsible for the casinos’ growing popularity.
When it comes to security, a casino employs a sophisticated surveillance system. Cameras installed in every corner of the casino monitor every table, window, and doorway. The cameras can be positioned to focus on suspicious patrons, and video feeds are recorded and analyzed later. Computer chips inside slot machines decide which games will pay out. No one is watching the slot floor. But the casinos employ a security team and a casino’s employees have to be vigilant to protect patrons.
