The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with the majority of its entertainment and profits coming from games of chance. Slot machines, poker, blackjack, roulette and craps generate the billions of dollars in profits that casinos rake in each year. The lights and sounds, dazzling buildings and fountains all help draw the crowds.

But the casino does not rely solely on glitz and glamour to attract patrons; its employees must keep watch for cheating or theft by players or staff. Security begins on the floor, with dealers and pit bosses watching patrons closely. They can easily spot blatant cheating, like palming cards or marking dice, and they can also keep an eye on betting patterns that could indicate collusion between patrons or with the house.

Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech “eye in the sky,” with cameras located throughout the casino. These can be adjusted to focus on specific patrons and can record video feeds. Security personnel in a room filled with banks of security monitors can quickly review the footage if suspicious activities are suspected.

Another way that casinos make money is by allowing big bettors to earn comps, or free goods and services. These can include free hotel rooms, dinners, show tickets and even limo service and airline tickets. A person can ask a casino employee or someone at the information desk for details about how to get their play rated for comps.