Security at a Casino
In modern casinos, security is divided between a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The former patrols the facility and responds to requests for assistance and to definite reports of suspicious or criminal activity. The latter is responsible for operating the casino’s closed circuit television system, commonly known as the eye in the sky.
While some games have an element of skill, most are pure chance and give the casino a mathematical advantage over the players, usually expressed as the house edge. This is often adjusted for specific games and regions, but is essentially unavoidable. Players who have sufficient skills to eliminate this long-term disadvantage are referred to as advantage players.
Some casinos offer table games such as blackjack, craps, and baccarat. They also have slots and video poker machines that generate significant revenue. Other tables, such as those for keno and roulette, cater to smaller bettors. In America, these tables typically demand an advantage of less than 1 percent. Many casinos offer Far Eastern games such as sic bo, fan-tan, and pai-gow.
When it comes to surface decadence, few places do it better than the casino at the ultra-luxe resort in Macau, east Asia’s version of Vegas. It’s a behemoth, with more than 800 gaming tables and 1000 slot machines spread across several large floors. In addition to the gambling action, there are top-billed entertainment shows and five-star hotel accommodations. And that’s not counting the casino’s three Michelin-starred restaurants or the luxury boutiques and designer shops.
