A casino’s security begins on the floor of the building, where employees monitor games and patrons. Dealers, for example, are trained to spot suspicious patrons while they’re playing. Other employees, such as pit bosses and table managers, keep a close eye on the casino’s table games. These people have to be on the lookout for patterns in betting or cheating. A casino’s security department is divided into two main groups: the physical security force and the specialized surveillance department. These two distinct departments operate in conjunction with each other to protect guests and the casino’s assets. Combined, they’ve been quite effective at keeping the casino’s patrons and assets safe.
The number of games available in a casino varies, but in general, the casino accepts bets up to a pre-determined limit. Because a patron can’t win more than the casino can afford, each game has a mathematical expectation of winning. Although casinos rarely lose money on any game, they regularly give large bettors extravagant inducements such as free cigarettes and drinks. However, one of the most common ways that a casino can influence the patrons is to offer lavish inducements.
Most casino customers are unaware of this fact. The house edge, or house advantage, varies from game to game. Keno, video poker, and sic bo are among the games with the highest house edge. Blackjack and video poker, on the other hand, offer the best chance of winning. These games are incredibly profitable for the casino, and their stacked odds make them profitable. Various studies have been conducted over the years, with the Wall Street Journal having gained access to a private gambling database. A study published in 2013 found that only 13.5% of casino customers win.