Casinos are like an indoor amusement park for adults, with the majority of their entertainment (and profits) coming from games of chance. While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers draw in the crowds, casinos would not exist without the billions in profits generated by games of chance like slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, keno, baccarat and more.
Security is a major component of casino operations, with a variety of measures in place to ensure patrons are safe and that all activities take place as intended. Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech eye-in-the-sky, with cameras monitoring every table, window and doorway. These can be adjusted by security workers in a separate room filled with banks of monitors to focus on suspicious patrons. In addition, all casino games have patterns and routines that are expected by players; if the actions of any patron deviate from those patterns, security can quickly spot it.
There is also a less-obvious aspect of casino security: Casinos have rules about comping players, which are free goods and services offered to big gamblers to keep them playing. These can include free hotel rooms, free spectacular entertainment tickets and reduced-fare transportation. Some casinos even offer limo service and airline tickets to big spenders.
In movies, the glitz and glamour of casino scenes has made them popular settings for a wide range of genres. However, few films have been as acclaimed as Robert De Niro’s Academy Award-winning portrayal of mobster Sam Giancana in the movie Casino. De Niro was joined by Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci in the cast, with all three actors delivering powerful performances that have helped to define their careers.