A casino is a place where people can gamble. It is associated with glitz and glamour, but also with seediness and criminality. Gambling is a complex activity that requires weighing risk and reward, making wise decisions, and a little luck.
Casinos generate profit by taking a percentage of the money that is bet on games like blackjack, roulette and video poker. These games are known as banked games, because the house has a stake in the outcome of each game. Casinos can also make money through a variety of other gambling devices, such as dice and dominoes.
While the average casino patron might not spend more than a few dollars, high rollers are another story altogether. Casinos focus much of their attention, resources and perks on these high rollers, who typically gamble in special rooms where the stakes are often in the tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to private suites, these players are pampered with free shows and meals, reduced-fare transportation and lavish living quarters.
Large amounts of money being handled within a casino makes it tempting for both patrons and staff to cheat and steal, either in collusion or on their own. To counter this, casinos have extensive security measures. They monitor all activities through cameras placed throughout the building and have employees roving the floor to spot cheating. Those who are prone to stealing or cheating can be banned from the premises altogether. Security personnel are also trained to spot the telltale signs of a gambler who is losing control of their emotions.
