A casino (also known as a gambling house or a gaming palace) is an establishment that offers various types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment events, such as concerts or sports games.
Most casinos have strict rules to prevent cheating and stealing, either in collusion or independently. Security cameras are located throughout the facility, and table managers and pit bosses oversee each game with a wide-angle lens to catch any suspicious behavior. In addition, many casinos employ “chip tracking” systems that monitor betting patterns minute-by-minute and instantly alert supervisors to any statistical deviation from expected results.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, security is of utmost importance. The presence of large amounts of cash can encourage both patrons and employees to attempt to cheat or steal, and casinos spend a significant amount of money on security measures.
The casino industry is a highly competitive business, and in order to attract customers casinos offer a variety of promotions and rewards. These may include free food and beverages, hotel stays, show tickets, or even travel packages. The goal is to reward frequent patrons and entice new ones with lucrative deals. During the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos were famous for their deeply discounted travel packages and cheap buffets. Today, casinos are choosier about whom they give comps to and focus on high rollers who generate more profit. These players are often given special rooms, and can earn perks worth tens of thousands of dollars.