To keep the casino safe and secure, casino employees employ a variety of techniques to monitor patrons and games. These include cameras installed in the ceiling, which monitor every table, window and doorway. The cameras can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons or movements. The video feeds are also recorded so that they can be reviewed after the fact. In addition, slot machine payouts are determined by random computer chips, which ensure fairness.
Casinos also have security measures in place to prevent any cheating or scamming. In Nevada, for instance, the casino business began to expand in the 1950s. However, legitimate businessmen were wary to invest in casinos because of the negative connotations that were associated with gambling. In contrast, organized crime figures had vast amounts of cash from their illegal rackets, and they had no problem with the negative image. Because of this, mob money steadily flowed into Las Vegas and Reno, causing some casino personnel to feel threatened.
While there is no guarantee that you will win every time, casinos offer a significant statistical advantage. In some games, the edge is as low as two percent. This edge helps the casino earn enough money to construct luxurious hotels, giant pyramids, and towers. This edge is known as the “vig” or “rake” and varies from game to game.