How Casinos Work
Modern casinos are like indoor amusement parks for adults, with elaborate fountains, musical shows and shopping centers attracting crowds. But the billions of dollars in profits that casinos rake in each year come mostly from gambling, not shopping or entertainment. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and other table games provide the excitement that attracts gamblers and generates the massive revenue casinos are built upon. Casinos would not exist without them.
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in ancient archaeological sites. But the modern casino as we know it developed in the 16th century during a gambling craze. In Venice, Italy, wealthy aristocrats met to play primitive card games and other wagering activities in private gambling houses known as ridotti. Technically, gambling was illegal, but the clientele of aristocrats ensured that the houses were not bothered by the authorities.
The modern casino is often a lavish affair with lighted fountains, statues and replicas of famous landmarks. But a casino is really a business, and the most important thing for the owner is to make sure the money keeps coming in. That’s why there is such a large emphasis on security. Casinos employ a combination of physical security forces and specialized surveillance departments. The latter typically operate a system of closed circuit television cameras that are referred to in the industry as “the eye-in-the-sky.” Cameras monitor all areas of the casino, and the systems can be directed to zero in on specific patrons by security workers in a separate room.
In addition to the cameras, casinos use a variety of other technologies to make sure the games are fair. For example, they frequently monitor the speed and direction of spinning wheels to discover any anomalies. They also use special chips with microcircuitry that allow them to track exactly how much is wagered minute by minute. They monitor game outcomes to identify any cheating or collusion between players.
Casinos also have a very precise understanding of how the odds of their games work. This allows them to determine what percentage of the money they will make as a profit, and it also helps them to predict how long a session of gambling will last for each player. Casinos also know the expected return on their slot machines, which is based on the payout percentages programmed into each machine.
Unlike other forms of commercial gambling, which are often run by independent groups, the vast majority of casinos in the United States are owned by corporations that operate several different casinos. Some are located in major cities such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, while others are on American Indian reservations and other places where state antigambling laws do not apply. Casinos are also legal in many European countries and on some Pacific islands. They are also increasingly common on riverboats and in other nontraditional locations. There are even a few in the state of Illinois. However, there are still a number of states that prohibit the operation of casinos.