Whether you’re looking to hit the slots, put on your poker face or throw dice, casinos are a great place to satisfy your gambling cravings. And they offer more than just a chance to win big bucks; most also feature great food, drinks and entertainment options.
While gambling may predate recorded history – primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice have been found in archaeological sites – the casino as an organized institution did not appear until the 16th century. This was when a craze for gambling swept Europe, and Italian aristocrats would gather in private gaming houses called ridotti to play games like roulette, blackjack and dice [Source: Schwartz].
Because every game has a built-in advantage that guarantees the house a certain gross profit, it is almost impossible to lose money at a casino. For this reason, most casinos have extravagant inducements to reward big bettors, like free spectacular entertainment, luxury transportation and elegant living quarters. Smaller bettors, such as those playing poker, are rewarded by reduced-fare transportation and free drinks and cigarettes while gambling. The income from slot machines and video poker is a more steady source of revenue for casinos, thanks to high volume and rapid play at sums from five cents to a dollar.
The routines of players and the locations of betting spots on a table follow certain patterns, making it easier for security workers to spot suspicious behavior. In addition, the casino uses a network of cameras throughout the building, which can be adjusted to focus on any suspected activity in a separate room filled with banks of security monitors.