The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, but the vast majority of entertainment (and profits for the owners) comes from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno generate the billions in revenue that casinos make every year. Casinos are also a major source of revenue for states, providing jobs and tax revenues.
Many casinos are designed to create a mood or theme, and some are famous worldwide for their elegance, glitz and glamour. For example, the Bellagio in Las Vegas is known for its fountain shows and luxury accommodations, and it has been featured in movies such as Ocean’s 11.
Casinos are often staffed by people who have little experience in the business and are easily influenced or even bribed to cheat or steal. To combat this, casinos use security cameras to monitor the activities of patrons and employees. Some casinos have elaborate surveillance systems, including a high-tech “eye in the sky” that allows security workers to control each game from a separate room.
Some casinos focus on specific games, such as baccarat in American casinos and trente et quarante in French ones. These games tend to draw wealthy players, who are more likely to spend large sums of money. To keep them happy, casinos offer comps, such as free rooms or meals, that can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. They also keep track of each player’s betting activity by using chips with built-in microcircuitry, and their gambling machines are wired to detect any statistical deviation from the expected results.