A Casino is a place where customers gamble by playing games of chance and skill. The house has an advantage over players in most casino games due to the mathematically-determined odds, called the house edge or rake. Customers may also be given free items at the casino such as comps or complimentary drinks. The payout is the percentage of winnings returned to the players. This is one of the most exciting parts of a casino, and is the primary reason people visit these establishments.
The casinos focus on providing high-end customer service by offering perks for gamblers. These perks, called comps, are meant to entice gamblers to spend more. Free buffets, free show tickets, and discounted travel packages are typical comps. In the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos were famous for providing free show tickets, cheap buffets, and other benefits to their guests. The idea was to maximize the number of people who would come to Las Vegas to gamble. Filling the casino floor and hotel rooms with people would increase gambling revenue.
Modern casinos employ sophisticated surveillance systems to protect their patrons and their money. Cameras are mounted in the ceiling of each casino and keep an eye on each table, window, and doorway. The cameras can be adjusted to focus on any suspicious patron, and video feeds are recorded. Casinos also have computer chips in slot machines that determine the payouts. These chips prevent cheating and ensure fair gaming. Nevertheless, a casino cannot guarantee that a casino employee will not be caught red-handed or have their cards stolen.