Casino Technology
A casino is a gambling establishment offering games of chance or skill. It is often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. Casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment events, such as stand up comedy and concerts. In some countries, casinos are operated by government-owned or private enterprises.
In addition to cameras, casinos use technology to monitor the actual games themselves. In “chip tracking,” betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that enables casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute and to detect any deviation from expected results. Roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical anomalies. In the 1990s, casinos dramatically increased their use of technology.
Most casino games have mathematically determined odds that give the house an edge over the players. This advantage can be very small (lower than two percent) but it adds up over time and millions of bets. In games with a skill element, such as blackjack and poker, the house earns money through a commission known as the rake.
Gambling has been a popular form of entertainment in many societies throughout history. It is believed that the ancient Mesopotamian people engaged in wagering as a way to test the luck of the gods. In modern times, the popularity of gambling has fueled a number of illegal operations. While legitimate businessmen were wary of gambling’s seamy reputation, mobsters embraced it as an opportunity to make quick cash. Mafia figures brought their money to Reno and Las Vegas, where they bought controlling interests in casinos and financed expansion and renovations.
While casinos rely on technology to keep their patrons safe, they also employ rules and policies to discourage cheating and other forms of misbehavior. For example, card players are required to keep their cards visible at all times, and the croupiers at table games have eyes in the back of their heads to watch for blatant manipulation of the game’s rules or a player’s behavior that might signal intent to cheat.
Casinos also reward loyal customers with comps, or complimentary items and services. These may include free hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows and even airline or limo service. The amount of money spent in a casino is used to calculate the player’s tier level, which determines what kind of comps he or she receives.
In addition to these methods, casinos rely on the fact that most gamblers follow certain patterns when playing their favorite games. This makes it easier for security personnel to spot suspicious behavior. For example, the way a dealer shuffles and deals cards or the locations of betting spots on a table usually follow a set pattern. In more sophisticated casinos, cameras in the ceiling provide a high-tech eye-in-the-sky that can be positioned to focus on specific tables or windows. Security workers in a separate room can monitor the cameras remotely and can change their view to focus on any suspicious patrons. They can also review the footage after a theft or other event has occurred.
