Beneath the varnish of flashing lights and free drinks, casinos stand on a bedrock of mathematics, engineered to slowly bleed their patrons of money. For years mathematically inclined minds have tried to turn the tables, harnessing their knowledge of probability and game theory to exploit weaknesses in a rigged system. But the best strategy is still to play smart.

Most casinos have a set limit on how much a patron can win per visit, or in the case of slot machines, by the number of spins. These limits, which may be posted on the machine or printed on the ticket, prevent patrons from losing more than a casino can afford to pay out in winnings. Most modern casinos also have a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department that patrol the property and monitor the game rooms’ closed circuit television systems.

Besides standard gambling games, some casinos offer a variety of traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo (which spread to several European and American casinos during the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow. In addition to these, many casinos host high-profile entertainment shows that range from top-billed musicians to high-flying circus acts.

Gambling is a high-stress business, and there is always the potential for cheating or stealing, either in collusion between players or by staff members, so most casinos take extensive security measures. These usually include a large amount of video surveillance, and some casinos have catwalks in the ceiling to allow surveillance personnel to look down on gamblers through one-way glass.