Casinos are fascinating places. From the elaborate fountain show at the Bellagio to the old-world glamour of the Casino Baden-Baden, casinos are a source of fascination even for those who don’t gamble. They are the setting for movies like Ocean’s 11 and the Rat Pack in Las Vegas and a place where millions of dollars pass through on a daily basis. But what makes a casino really work?
The word “casino” comes from the Italian for little house. Originally, the casinos in Europe were more like elegant clubs where people would gather for social events and play gambling games. As public gambling houses got shut down, these little houses became the center of gambling in the cities.
One of the most important aspects of a casino is its security. Casinos are on the cutting edge of surveillance technology, and you will often find cameras in the ceiling watching every table change window and doorway. This allows security personnel to spot suspicious patrons and keep them away from the tables. The casinos also use paper shredders and protective document boxes to ensure that their records are secure from fraud or theft.
Casinos are always on the lookout for counterfeit money, card counting and other forms of fraud. In addition, they have a special room in which the players’ chips are counted and bundled before being sent to an armored car for deposit in the bank. They are also on the cutting edge when it comes to data analysis, and they know which games their customers are playing, how much they’re betting and how often they win or lose. This allows them to extend perks to their most loyal players such as free hotel rooms, meals, drinks and casino chips.