The modern casino is more than just a gambling hall. It’s a full-scale entertainment center complete with floor shows, restaurants and five-star hotels. But even though musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers all attract visitors and provide the billions of dollars in profits casinos rake in annually, it’s the games of chance that keep people coming back. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat are just some of the games that make up the majority of the casino’s revenue.
Gambling in one form or another has been around for thousands of years. It’s a universal human attraction, as proven by the popularity of movies like Ocean’s 11, with the Rat Pack and George Clooney. Even people who don’t gamble regularly enjoy taking weekend bus trips to the nearest casino. The gambling industry is a global industry with more than 100 million people gambling in a casino at least once a year, and millions more playing online or on their phones.
There are some things about the casino industry that surprise a lot of people. For example, many people don’t realize that the house always wins. In fact, there are several built-in advantages that ensure that the casino will come out the winner in the long run. This is why it’s important to understand the game rules before you walk into the gaming pit.
Another surprise is that casino chips are not real money. In reality, they are worth only a fraction of what the actual cash is. This is a clever trick that casino’s use to make their customers gamble more than they might otherwise. It’s also easier for surveillance to monitor the exchange of chips because it is not done on a private level.
Casinos spend a large amount of time and money on security because something about gambling (probably the presence of lots of money) encourages people to cheat, steal or lie in order to win a jackpot. To combat these problems, every person on the casino floor is under constant scrutiny. Dealers are heavily trained to spot blatant cheating techniques such as palming, marking or switching cards or dice. Table managers and pit bosses watch over the tables and note betting patterns that could indicate a patron is cheating. And, of course, the entire operation is constantly monitored by security cameras.
The casino business is a lucrative business and casinos do everything they can to keep their best customers happy. The way they do this is by extending what are called comps to players who bet the most. Comps are free hotel rooms, meals and drinks, or casino chips. For high rollers, known as whales, perks can include airfare on private jets. The casino’s main goal is to get their best customers to come back and play more often, so they can earn those coveted comps. So, next time you’re in a casino remember to smile and give the house a good tip! It might just help you win big.