Ten Things You Didn't Know about Casinos

" Las Vegas, The Freemont Street Experienc" ( CC BY-SA 2.0) by  ShardsOfBlue

Americans have a serious love affair with casino gambling. That's great, but to keep it great you need to curb your enthusiasm at times and play within your bankroll. Believe it or not, the casinos were built to give you a chance to make lots of money. Your chances of doing so are pretty slim, but there's always that chance, and that's what keeps us playing. Of course, you already knew that, but you might not know a few other things.

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Casinos

  1. Casinos use thousands of cameras. While older casinos like the Cal-Neva in Reno didn't bother with camera coverage for all of their table games as little as 20 years ago, modern casinos have so many cameras that the surveillance staff, as large as it might be, can't even watch all the views. Of course, you never know which ones are being watched at any one time and everything is digital these days, so video from every camera is available for later viewing. If you think nobody is watching, think again!
  2. Casinos lose money on a quarter of their guests. Research shows that while most players end up losing money at their favorite casinos; the high cost of the property, staff, and complimentary items keep casinos from beating everyone. Of course, those patrons who play very little or are accompanying real players make up a large portion of this group, but there are many players that are actually able to win over a long period of time. This group includes ​blackjack card counters, but the largest percentage is comprised of players who gamble just enough to quality for freebies and complimentary giveaways like free rooms and meals.
  3. You can get free stuff! Casinos are all about signing-up new guests to their player's clubs. When you sign-up you may get free cash, a room, a meal, or any one of a dozen free things. As long as you play you will earn additional complimentary gifts. Casinos usually try to hold the line on these comps to under 20 percent of a player's expected loss, but savvy blackjack players can earn back the bulk of their estimated losses by playing excellent basic strategy.
  4. You can't act like an idiot. Well, that's not true, you can act like an idiot, but the casino can throw you out or have you arrested. Although a small percentage of players think they should be able to do anything and say anything at their local casino, most properties have strict rules about behavior, and that includes language. You can't drop the "F" bomb whenever you feel like it, and if you do, the dealer, floor supervisor, or Pit boss may tell you to knock it off. You wouldn't "F" bomb the waitress in the coffee shop, so why do you think you can do it to the dealer? Keep it up and you will be asked to leave. Resist, and you can be arrested.
  5. You can be barred from playing for winning too much. A casino is a business, and like any good business, the managers watch the bottom line. In most gaming jurisdictions (Not in ​​Atlantic City) a player who is suspected of being an advantage player (shuffle tracking, ace tracking, card counting) may be barred from playing specific games. Some properties have even changed their rules of play for video poker players.
  6. You can always call Gaming Control or the local gaming regulatory agency if you feel you have been cheated. Every casino has oversight, and guest complaints are reviewed. If you have a legitimate issue they are there to help you. If you have a frivolous complaint or a guest-service related issue, forget about it. Take those complaints to the casino manager. And, don't expect any complaint to be handled in your favor if you are rude, demanding, and wrong.
  7. You can't cash a check, money order, or cashier's check at many casinos. Those days are over. If you have established credit or done the paperwork for check cashing privileges, that's one thing, but you won't be able to cash a money order or a cashier's check at the cashier's cage. Casinos are in the entertainment business, and they aren't amused by bad checks. Cashier's checks and money orders can't be verified and are often forged. Forget it!
  8. You can get a check. Although you may have won a substantial jackpot, either on a slot machine or at a table game, and been paid in cash or chips, you may be able to get a check to take home instead of carrying cash. If you want a check, ask the supervisor right away, before you are paid. You can even get part of the payout in cash and part via check at most casinos.​ Table games are a bit different, but they may be able to accommodate your request. You won't know until you ask.
  9. You have to produce ID when asked. A current photo ID will be necessary to prove your age for gambling or drinking, and many casinos demand that any patron on the casino floor has a valid, current photo ID. If you don't have one, you may be asked to leave. In addition, any jackpot you were hoping to collect on may be held at the cage until you produce ID, possibly including a social security card.
  10. Casinos really don't mind if you win. Although card counters and advantage players may be asked to stop playing, gaming management and dealers really don't mind if you win. It's good for business because a happy customer tells others about their experience, and most players are just holding their winnings for a while until they come back and try again. As for the dealers, they are usually very happy if you are winning, especially if you remember to tip them occasionally. Honest, casinos want you to win!