A casino is a place for people to gamble, drink and socialize. Although modern casinos have a variety of attractions, such as musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers, the billions in profits they rake in every year are mostly the result of gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and poker all have a built-in long-term advantage for the house, but skillful players can eliminate this edge by learning basic strategy.
Casino security starts on the casino floor, where dealers and pit bosses keep a close eye on patrons and can quickly spot blatant cheating (like palming cards or marking dice). A separate department monitors a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” surveillance system that lets security workers focus in on suspicious casino patrons from a room filled with bank after bank of security monitors. These systems allow the casino to track all gambling transactions, including those on the internet, and to see who is entering and exiting a certain doorway or changing tables.
A few casinos are owned by large hotel and real estate investors, like Donald Trump and the Hilton chain of hotels. Their deep pockets and the threat of losing their gaming licenses at even the slightest hint of mob involvement have kept organized crime out of most casinos. But there is still something about gambling that seems to encourage some people to cheat or steal in order to win. That’s why casinos spend a lot of money, time and effort on security.
