Security at Casinos

When it comes to Casino, the house always wins. That’s because casinos are businesses and like any business they must make money in order to stay in business. The house edge built into every game gives the casino a virtual assurance of gross profit. Because of this the casino is able to offer big bettors extravagant inducements like free spectacular entertainment, transportation and elegant living quarters.

Elaborate security systems allow surveillance personnel to watch the entire casino through a series of cameras that have been placed throughout the building and even in the ceiling. Some casinos have a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” that allows surveillance workers to look down through one way glass on casino tables and slot machines from an observation room.

Casinos are a popular tourist destination, and in addition to providing entertainment and gambling opportunities they bring in revenue for local hotels and restaurants. However, many economic studies show that the net effect of a casino is negative, because it pulls spending away from other forms of local entertainment and causes gambling addiction.

Something about the atmosphere of casino gambling seems to encourage people to cheat and steal, either in collusion with others or on their own. Because of this, casinos spend a great deal of time and effort on security. Besides the obvious security cameras, casinos have rules that prohibit players from wearing jewelry or carrying weapons and they require that all patrons keep their hands visible at all times while playing.