A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. These establishments offer a variety of amenities to their patrons such as restaurants, free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery. They also have security measures to prevent theft and cheating. However, it is still possible for a patron or staff member to cheat or steal, either in collusion with other players or on their own. That is why casinos spend a large amount of time, effort and money on security.

In addition to security cameras, casinos employ a wide range of surveillance and detection methods. For example, many tables use the “eye in the sky” feature where a camera mounted on the ceiling allows security personnel to watch games from above. The movements of the players and the shuffles of cards follow predictable patterns, making it easy for security personnel to spot anomalies. Casinos also use bright and sometimes gaudy colors to make their interiors look exciting. Red is especially popular because it has a stimulating and cheering effect. Finally, many casinos do not have clocks on their walls because they want to make it difficult for patrons to keep track of the time.

While casinos are known for their luxuries, they are actually quite simple business enterprises. They take in bets and calculate their expected profit. They are also able to limit the maximum amount that a player can win, so it is unlikely for a casino to lose money on any single game. That virtual assurance of gross profits makes casinos very attractive to high rollers, who are offered extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment and travel packages.