A Casino is an establishment where people may gamble on games of chance. It may also have a range of other entertainment activities, such as stage shows and restaurants. Some casinos also host tournaments where patrons compete against each other.
Regardless of their additional attractions, the vast majority of casino profits come from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and other table games generate the billions of dollars that casinos rake in each year. Something about gambling (probably the large amount of money involved) seems to encourage both patrons and employees to cheat, steal and otherwise try to beat the house at its own game. That’s why casinos spend a great deal of time, effort and money on security.
Modern casino technology enables security personnel to closely monitor games. For example, the chips used in table games have microcircuitry that interacts with electronic systems to enable casinos to see minute-by-minute wagers and quickly discover any statistical deviation from expected results. In addition, many casinos now employ mathematicians and computer programmers who specialize in gaming analysis.
The casinos’ dark side also includes compulsive gambling, which accounts for a significant percentage of casino profits and can devastate family life, ruin careers and even cause bankruptcy. Studies indicate that local economic benefits from a casino are outweighed by the cost of treating problem gamblers and lost productivity associated with casinos.