Security in a Casino

The words “casino” conjure images of bright lights, flashy bling and big money. From the Las Vegas Strip to tiny mountain towns whose 19th century Wild West buildings house poker tables and slot machines, the United States has casinos aplenty. And they’re not just for gambling anymore – many casinos have become upscale destinations for tourists and high-stakes players alike.

The etymology of the word casino is derived from the Italian “casona,” meaning a villa or summerhouse. Over time, it came to refer to various pleasurable activities, including gaming and socializing with friends. In the modern sense, casinos are places that offer a variety of games of chance, such as slots, blackjack, craps, baccarat, keno and poker. Some casinos also have restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Security in a casino starts on the floor, with the eyes of dealers trained to spot blatant cheating such as palming or marking cards or dice. But they need help from higher ups to track the betting patterns of patrons – especially at table games, where multiple people are placing bets in succession.

In addition to cameras, most casinos use technology for security in other ways. Roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviation from their expected averages; and in a process called “chip tracking,” betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that allows them to be tracked minute by minute. In this way, casinos know exactly how much is being wagered on every game in their venues.