Casinos provide a large variety of games of chance, and offer many different stakes to suit the budgets of players. Some casinos also have special high-stakes tables for people who want to play for big money.

Casino Security

Casino security begins on the casino floor, where employees monitor all of the games and patrons to make sure that everything is going according to plan. Dealers have an especially keen eye for blatant cheating like palming or marking cards and dice.

Security is more subtle at the table games, where pit bosses and table managers watch over them more closely. They keep an eye on betting patterns that could signal cheating and track how much money each player is winning or losing.

The House Edge

In almost all casino games, the house has an advantage over the players. This is called the house edge, and it is mathematically determined to ensure that the casino makes a profit.

The Gambling Industry

Despite the reputation of casinos as being a lurid and unsanitary environment, the gambling industry is an important part of the economy. It is a source of income for many states and towns, and it employs large numbers of people.

Comps

The casino can pay gamblers in the form of complimentary items or “comps.” These can be anything from free food and drinks to hotel rooms and tickets for concerts or other entertainment. The payout of these items is usually more than the cost of the item, so the casino makes a profit on every comp.