Casinos make huge profits from compulsive gambling, but these profits are disproportionate to the damage done by the gambling habit. According to one estimate, about five percent of casino patrons are addicted to gambling, which translates into twenty-five percent of casino revenue. Furthermore, economic studies have shown that casinos have a negative economic impact on local communities. Since casinos attract mostly local players, they shift money from other forms of entertainment and business. In addition, the costs of treating problem gamblers and lost productivity from gambling addiction offset the gains made by casinos.
The most popular casino game is slot machines. Slot machines generate more revenue for casinos than any other type of gambling. Players do not need to have any gambling skills or strategies to win. These games use either physical or video representations of reels to determine winning patterns. These games also employ professional casino dealers to deal the cards and payout payouts.
Casinos have elaborate surveillance systems to prevent cheating. Security personnel patrol the entire casino and respond to any suspicious activity. They also install cameras in every table, window, and doorway to monitor the behavior of patrons. The video feeds are recorded and can be reviewed after an incident. Additionally, the casino uses computer chips to determine the payouts of slots.