A casino is a place where people gamble, play games of chance and meet friends. Spectacular stage shows, restaurants, shopping and hotels help draw people to casinos, but it’s the games themselves that bring in the billions of dollars in profits every year.
While gambling may seem like a glamorous business in movies, it is not nearly as lucrative as shown on screen. In fact, casinos spend a lot of money and effort to make sure that everything goes as it should. It starts on the floor, where casino employees keep their eyes on patrons to spot blatant cheating or suspicious patterns. Dealers watch for a variety of actions, including palming, marking and the switching or flipping of cards or dice. Pit bosses and table managers have a broader view and watch for betting patterns that suggest collusion. Cameras on the ceiling give a “eye-in-the-sky” view of all tables, windows and doors, and can be directed to focus on specific patrons.
Many casinos reward their best players with comps, free goods and services that are calculated based on the amount of time they play and the amount they spend. This can include anything from food, hotel rooms and show tickets to limo service and airline tickets. Ask a casino employee or someone at the information desk for details. Casinos also have special rules about how to handle winnings and loses. For example, you can only pick up a winning hand once the dealer pushes it towards you.
