A casino is an establishment that accepts bets and allows patrons to play for cash. It does so within a certain limit, which means that a patron cannot win more than the casino can afford to lose. There are rules that are in place that prevent excessive gambling and all games have a mathematical expectation of winning. This helps casinos make a profit and they rarely lose money. In addition, casinos often offer big bettors extravagant inducements. These can include free drinks, free cigarettes, and even reduced transportation.
One way that casinos protect their customers is through extensive surveillance systems. These casinos have cameras on the ceiling that monitor every table and doorway. These cameras are adjustable to focus on any patron who looks suspicious. The video feeds are also recorded for later review. While security personnel are unable to monitor the entire casino floor, they do keep an eye on a large number of employees.
In addition to having an edge over its competitors, casinos also keep track of the house edge, or “edge,” of games. The house advantage is a percentage of the total bets, and the casino has a mathematical advantage in many games. The higher the house edge percentage, the more money a casino makes.