While the seedy backroom gambling parlors of the mafia have an image that gives casinos a bad reputation, most legal gaming pavilions are run by professional operators and provide a safe place for people to eat, drink, watch live or closed-circuit shows, and gamble for money. They also provide jobs and increase the cash flow in connected businesses, including restaurants, bars, and hotels.
Casinos offer a wide variety of games of chance and some of skill. They also have elaborate surveillance systems that keep a watchful eye on all patrons and activities. Most casino floors are lighted in bright, cheery colors to stimulate and attract customers. More than 15,000 miles of neon tubing is used to illuminate the casino floors in Las Vegas. Casino employees are trained to spot blatant cheating, such as palming cards or marking dice. They are also tasked with watching betting patterns that could indicate cheating by players at other tables. A casino’s surveillance system includes a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” that allows security personnel to monitor every table, window, and doorway at the same time.
Most casinos have a loyalty program that rewards large spenders with comps, like free slot play and meals. These programs are based on a patron database that is updated as they use the casino’s facilities. Some casinos even have a separate room for high rollers who gamble with much higher stakes, in the tens of thousands of dollars. These gamblers usually receive a personal host and a private room for their gambling sessions.