A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. While some casinos add luxuries like restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to appeal to visitors, they can be defined by their gambling activities and the type of games available.
Gambling is an activity that requires a high level of skill. Some players can even improve their chances of winning by learning the odds and applying basic strategy. As such, casinos have to work hard to protect their customers from cheating and stealing. This is why many of them spend a significant amount of money on security and surveillance systems.
While most movies about Las Vegas stick to the opulence, neon signs and gambling of the city, Martin Scorsese’s Casino goes deeper than that. The movie focuses on organized crime in Vegas, laying bare the tangled web of mob ties that run deep and wide in the Nevada city.
In the 21st century, casinos are choosier about who they let gamble in their establishments. They are especially selective about “high rollers.” These are gamblers who stake large amounts of money on a single bet, often in the tens of thousands of dollars. In return, these gamblers are rewarded with comps, including free rooms and meals, show tickets and limo service.
Something about the presence of huge sums of money in a casino encourages some patrons to try to cheat or steal their way into a jackpot, rather than relying on random chance. That’s why the majority of a casino’s revenue is spent on security and surveillance systems.