The Dark Side of Casino Gambling
The casino has a large financial stake in its customers. In fact, the casino makes more money from these customers than from the average players. That is why casinos put a lot of money into security measures. However, you should never play at a casino if you are not familiar with the house advantage. This percentage is the average gross profit made by the casino. The higher the house advantage, the more money the casino makes. So how do casinos make money?
The casinos use elaborate surveillance systems to monitor every aspect of their operations. These cameras are mounted in the ceiling, so they can watch every table and doorway. You can adjust the cameras to focus on a particular patron, if needed. The casino records video feeds for review. The casinos also enforce the rules of conduct. For example, players must keep their cards visible when playing card games. Other casino staff members can also monitor the activities of visitors. They also ensure that the casino is clean.
Customers gamble in a casino by playing games of chance and skill. There is a mathematical expectation of winning for every game. Casinos rarely lose money in a game. Some casinos offer lavish inducements to big bettors, such as free cigarettes and reduced-fare transportation. The casino pays a percentage of winnings back to the players. A casino also rewards loyal customers by offering them free drinks and snacks. But there is also a dark side to a casino.
The casino is a business and the games are programmed to favor the house. Without this house edge, the casino would lose money. A casino also collects a percentage of the pot of each game, called the house edge. These fees are called the house edge or vig or juice, and are paid to the pit boss, who oversees the fair play of the games. So a casino should make a profit by taking a percentage of each pot.
Gambling is fun, but it should not become a source of income. You should only play with money that you can afford to lose. If you cannot afford to lose your money, make sure to bring cash, and leave your bank cards at home. Never use a credit card or borrow money to make up the losses. Always set a time limit for yourself and don’t go overboard. If you can’t afford to lose the money you spent on gambling, you shouldn’t go to a casino at all.
While this is a good way to encourage high rollers to stay longer, smaller spenders may be better off getting lower-cost comps. Most casinos also have a loyalty club similar to the frequent-flyer program of an airline. Casino computers track their customers’ gaming habits and tally up their points. These points can then be exchanged for free slot play, discounted food and drinks, or even tickets to shows. Comp programs also help casinos to create a patron database that can be used for advertising and research purposes.