A casino is a gambling establishment where people can play a variety of games of chance. Some casinos also offer other forms of entertainment, such as stage shows and dramatic scenery. Gambling is a popular pastime in most societies, and casinos have become a significant source of revenue for many states and cities.
Casinos earn money by charging a fee for each bet placed by patrons. This fee is known as the vigorish or house edge and can be as low as two percent in some games. This small advantage, earned over millions of bets, provides a constant stream of revenue that allows the casino to finance such extravagances as fountains, towers and replicas of famous landmarks.
Something about gambling—perhaps the presence of large amounts of cash—seems to encourage people to cheat or steal in order to win, and that’s why casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. Cameras are everywhere, and staff members keep their eyes on the game to spot any blatantly suspicious behavior, such as palming or marking cards or dice. Table managers and pit bosses oversee table games and have a broader view of the action to ensure that players are not colluding with one another.
But the biggest reason casinos spend so much on security is because they’re afraid of losing money. It’s a well-known fact that most of the games offered at a casino have a built in statistical advantage for the house. Even if the house edge is only two percent, over long periods of time this can add up to substantial losses.