A casino is a place where people play games of chance for money. There have been a lot of other places that housed gambling activities — from Monte Carlo to the strip in Las Vegas — but casinos are where most modern games are played and where a good portion of their profits come from. A modern casino looks more like an indoor amusement park than a gambling establishment, but the bulk of the fun (and the money) comes from games of chance. Stage shows, free drinks and elaborate themes all help draw in the crowds, but the real reason to visit is to win some cash.

While casinos are supposed to be fair, it’s not a guarantee that you will win. All games have a built-in advantage for the house, which may be as low as two percent or as high as 40 percent, depending on the game. It’s not uncommon for the house to make a profit of more than 10 times the amount wagered by players, but even smaller profits are enough to help keep casinos in business.

That’s why casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. Many different security measures are in place, including surveillance cameras throughout the casino. Security personnel are also always on the lookout for any cheating or stealing, both in collusion with patrons and on their own. A friend of mine worked in security at a casino for three months before quitting because he was so disgusted by the number of patrons who stood at slot machines soiling themselves to believe they were on a winning streak.