From the glittering lights of Las Vegas to the illegal pai gow parlors in New York’s Chinatown, casinos offer an experience that is unique. And it’s an experience that attracts people from around the world. According to the American Gaming Association, 51 million Americans — a quarter of all those over 21 — visited casinos in 2002.
Most casino games are based on chance, but a small number involve some skill. In any case, the odds always guarantee that the house will win over the players. This advantage, known as the house edge, is built into the rules of each game. Casinos are businesses, and they need to ensure their profits.
To do this, they offer inducements to big bettors, who generate a disproportionate share of the profit. These can include free spectacular entertainment, luxurious living quarters, transportation and gourmet meals.
In addition, casinos are classified as financial institutions under US law and are required to report cash transactions of more than $10,000 to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. They also have to keep track of patrons’ identities and be ready to spot suspicious behavior.
In addition to cameras, casinos use a variety of other methods to enforce their rules and keep their customers happy. For example, dealers at card games are trained to look for certain routines such as palming or marking cards. And table managers and pit bosses keep a closer eye on the betting patterns of patrons, looking for any sign of cheating.
