A casino is a place where people play games of chance and, in some cases, skill. Whether they’re on the Vegas strip or in New York’s Chinatown, millions of people visit casinos each year to try their luck at slots, roulette wheels, poker tables and more. While some people may think that gambling is a way to win big, it’s important for players to remember that the house always wins.
Because of the large amounts of money that are handled within casinos, both patrons and employees can be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with others or on their own. Casinos invest a great deal of time and money into security measures to protect their customers and ensure that the games are fair. Some of these include cameras, microphones and a “count room,” where workers will bundle and count the money before it’s sent to an armored car for deposit in the bank.
While these security systems help to deter cheating and theft, some casinos have also become more sophisticated in how they monitor their games. For example, electronic systems are used to track betting chips with built-in microcircuitry and to alert workers when there’s a statistical deviation from the expected results. In addition, high rollers are often given complimentary items such as hotel rooms, meals and drinks—known as comps—and even limo service and airline tickets to encourage them to gamble more frequently and spend more money.