The Casino Industry
The Casino industry pulls in billions of dollars each year. Profits are shared between private companies, investors, Native American tribes and state and local governments that license the gambling businesses. Casino gambling includes games of chance and skill played at tables and slot machines. Some casinos offer a variety of these games while others specialize in one or more. Casinos are found in large resorts and hotels, standalone facilities such as card rooms, and even at racetracks in the form of racinos.
While lighted fountains, shopping centers and musical shows help attract patrons, casinos would not exist without the games of chance that provide the billions in profits they rake in every year. Slot machines, blackjack, poker, craps, baccarat and other games of chance make up the vast majority of gambling revenue for casinos across the United States.
Despite the fact that there is an element of chance involved, most casino games have a built in advantage for the house. This advantage can be as low as two percent, but it adds up over the millions of bets made each year by casino customers. It is also known as the house edge and vig.
Because casino gambling involves the handling of large sums of money, there is a temptation for both patrons and employees to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. For this reason, casinos invest a considerable amount of time, effort and money on security. Typically, casinos use cameras throughout the facility and have rules for players to follow that reduce opportunities for theft or fraud.