The modern casino is a lot like an indoor amusement park for adults. Musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels help draw in the crowds, but the bulk of the revenue for casinos comes from gambling. Slot machines, black jack, roulette, craps and keno provide the billions in profits that casinos rake in every year.

Gambling games are designed so that the house always has a mathematical advantage. Hence, the term “house edge.” To offset this disadvantage, casinos offer extravagant inducements to big bettors. These can include free spectacular entertainment, luxurious living quarters, limousine transportation and even airline tickets. Casinos also profit from table games such as blackjack, baccarat and trente et quarante.

Another source of casino revenue is from comps, or complimentary goods and services, offered to gamblers who spend large amounts of money. These perks typically include food and drink, hotel rooms and show tickets. In the 1970s Las Vegas casinos were known for offering discounted travel packages and free buffets to attract large numbers of people.

Despite these incentives, casinos are still a dangerous place for some people. Studies have shown that five percent of casino patrons are addicted to gambling, and they generate a disproportionate amount of the overall profits for the casinos. To combat this problem, casinos have stepped up their security measures, with many now using surveillance cameras and computerized tracking systems to monitor patrons’ behavior and betting patterns. This technology helps to keep out the mob and prevent cheating.