Like any industry in a capitalist society, casinos are in the business of making money. Successful ones rake in billions of dollars. They succeed by encouraging gamblers to spend their money repeatedly for the chance of winning big. To do this, they create a stimulating environment with lighting, music and visual media that help accomplish their goals.
Casinos also employ a host of perks designed to encourage people to play and stay longer. For example, they offer free stage shows, hotel rooms, discounted travel packages and meals. These perks are known as comps. During the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos were famous for offering these free perks to top bettors as an incentive to win.
In addition to these perks, casinos have developed sophisticated technology to oversee the gambling process. For instance, they use “chip tracking,” where betting chips have microcircuitry that allows them to monitor the exact amount of money wagered minute-by-minute and warn staff if there are any statistical deviations from expected results. They also have video cameras that watch every table, window and doorway in the building.
There’s something about the atmosphere of a casino that seems to encourage people to cheat, steal and scam their way into a jackpot. That’s why casinos devote a great deal of time and money to security.