Casino is a world of lights, noise and buzz – the place where champagne glasses clink, and both locals and tourists mingle. It’s a place where gamblers test their wits against others in an exciting competition of skill and strategy. Table games like blackjack and poker, as well as slots and roulette, are all popular amongst players because they allow them to use their knowledge of the game and odds to increase their chances of winning.
Gambling is a risky business. Casinos profit by encouraging guests to take bigger risks and stay longer, so the environment is designed with those goals in mind. But it also needs to be fun, enjoyable and safe – the more guests enjoy themselves, the more likely they are to return in the future to try their luck again.
The high stakes of gambling encourage cheating, theft and scamming – which is why casinos invest so much time, effort and money in security. Casinos are heavily patrolled by security staff and have elaborate surveillance systems that offer a “eye-in-the-sky” view of every table, window and doorway. In addition, most casino tables have betting chips with microcircuitry that enable the casinos to monitor each bet minute by minute, and detect any statistical deviation from expected results.
Despite these measures, some patrons still attempt to defraud casinos. Fortunately, modern casinos are better prepared than ever to fight fraudsters. Many casinos now have special cameras that can detect a crooked dice or a sleazy dealer, and a quick check of the casino’s records can help authorities track down the culprit.