A casino is a place where people gamble on games of chance. Musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and luxurious hotels all help attract customers to casinos, but the bulk of the profits are generated by gambling games. Slot machines, blackjack, poker and games like craps, roulette and baccarat provide the billions of dollars that casinos rake in each year.
While casino managers are quick to point out that most patrons win more than they lose, they also realize that some people will try to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or on their own. For this reason, casinos devote a great deal of time and money to security measures. Cameras are scattered throughout the floors and special electronic systems monitor betting chips to discover any deviation from their expected results.
Another way casinos keep a close eye on their patrons is by providing them with free goods and services (complimentaries) when they play. These perks, known as comps, are intended to encourage players to gamble more and to reward those who do.
In addition, the most profitable patrons are targeted with a host of special amenities and services. These include private rooms for high-stakes gamblers, where the stakes can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. These high rollers are given extra attention and receive a large percentage of the house’s total profits, which is called the vig. The croupiers in these rooms also receive the highest salaries.