The word casino has many meanings, but it is essentially a place where gamblers can try their luck and have fun. Musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers all help attract patrons to casinos, but they would not exist without the billions in profits that games of chance bring in each year. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno are all part of the reason that casinos are such an appealing experience for both locals and tourists alike.
When people walk into a casino, they enter an alternate reality filled with glittering lights, the sound of clinking slots and a scent that is pure excitement. They will see players laughing around tables and extravagant decor with glamorous statues and details. They may even hear conversations about how to win a jackpot or the odds of beating a game.
But there is one thing that all gamblers should remember about a casino: the house always wins. Every game that is offered has a built-in advantage that the casino expects to win, and this edge can add up quickly if a patron plays for long enough.
This is why the casino industry spends a huge amount of money on security and surveillance. Elaborate systems allow security workers to keep an eye in the sky by watching every table, window and doorway via cameras mounted on the ceiling. They can even be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons by employees in a room filled with banks of security monitors.