A casino is an enormous indoor gambling hall, complete with tables and slot machines. While dazzling entertainment, elaborate themes, luxurious hotels and shopping centers draw the crowds, casinos are really all about games of chance. Blackjack, poker, roulette, craps and a myriad of other casino games are what bring in the hard-earned dollars that keep casinos in business.
Most casinos have a security force and a specialized department that monitors closed circuit television. Both are on the lookout for patrons who may cheat or steal, either in collusion with one another or by working independently. Dealers, who are heavily focused on their own game, can easily spot blatant cheating tactics such as palming, marking or switching cards or dice. Table managers and pit bosses have a more broader view of the casino floor, keeping an eye out for betting patterns that could be indicative of cheating.
Modern casinos are also equipped with a host of surveillance technology, such as hidden cameras and infrared heat sensors that can see patrons through the tablecloth or even through the glass of a drink. They are usually connected to a central computer system that displays video feeds from all around the casino, so security personnel can watch patrons at every game. The software allows them to instantly identify suspicious behavior and flag it for attention by management.
