A casino is a place where people can gamble by playing games of chance or skill. These games generally have predetermined odds, which give the house an advantage. The casino takes a commission, called the rake, from these bets. Some casinos also offer complimentary items to patrons. Some of these games are a mix of skill and chance, while others involve only skill, such as poker.
Because of the slim margins involved in gambling, casinos are constantly on guard against theft and cheating. They have many security measures in place, such as cameras and other surveillance equipment, that are used to monitor the players. In addition, all of the betting chips have a unique code that is recorded by the casino’s system, so they can detect any statistical deviations from the expected results.
Another way casinos control their assets is by having a separate count room for cash transactions, where employees will bundle and count money to be transported in armored cars for deposit. This also helps them maintain the value of their assets, because it prevents any cash from disappearing from the property while it is being transferred to the bank.
Other security measures include requiring dealers to wear aprons or pants without pockets, and not wearing watches that can conceal a hidden chip. In addition, dealers are required to clear their hands whenever they leave a table, and they cannot move more than the amount of money in their possession at one time.