A Casino is a facility that provides a variety of gambling activities, including slot machines, black jack roulette, craps, keno and more. In the United States, these establishments account for billions of dollars in profit and are a staple in many cities.
A casino may have thousands of slot machines, a few tables and discreet private rooms where high rollers and VIP customers can play in a quiet environment. Guests can also enjoy the entertainment provided by a live casino show, or take advantage of some of the other amenities offered at casino hotels and resorts.
Security and safety at casinos are an important priority. In addition to a physical security force that patrols the premises and responds to calls for help, most modern casinos employ specialized surveillance departments. These teams monitor the casino’s closed circuit television system, which is known in the industry as the ‘eye in the sky’.
House edge: The house edge is the advantage that the casino has over a player in each game. This advantage is determined by the mathematically determined odds of each game.
The ‘house edge’ is a good indicator of how well a casino manages to keep its money in the bank. For example, if the house edge is 5.26% on American roulette, the management expects to pocket a profit of slightly more than half a million for every $1 million that is bet on the table.
Gambling addiction is a real concern for many people, and some casinos are making efforts to help people who may be struggling with it. For example, Marc Lefkowitz of the California Council on Problem Gambling trains casino managers and employees to be on the lookout for worrisome trends in customer activity. He also urges casinos to provide information about gambling treatment options near ATM machines and pay phones.