The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with most of its entertainment (and profits for the owners) coming from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and more are what draw in the crowds.
A casino’s security measures are a combination of technology and old-fashioned muscle. Eye-in-the-sky surveillance systems provide a constant video stream that can be monitored for statistical deviations, and the cameras can be focused to zero in on suspicious patrons. On the ground, dealers and table managers keep a close watch on their respective games and patrons. They’re trained to spot blatant cheating such as palming or marking cards and dice. Each person on the floor also has a “higher-up” who tracks their work and keeps an eye out for unusual betting patterns.
As the casino industry has grown, so has the sophistication of its security measures. Elaborate chip tracking systems enable casinos to oversee exactly how much is wagered minute by minute; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviations from their expected results. And the casino has a wide range of specialized cameras for monitoring the gaming areas.
As for the gamblers themselves, the typical casino visitor is a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above-average income. This demographic accounts for about 23% of all casino visitors, according to the National Profile Study by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gambling Panel by TNS. This is slightly less than the share of Americans who have visited a casino in the past year.