Casino Security - Fundamentals
December 15, 2014 - PSPA Editoral Staff
Casino Security (in general terms) refers to the measures that are taken at casinos to protect the establishment's money, property, and patrons. The security program is designed to protect the casino and its customers from violent crime, theft, and other inappropriate behavior.
Given the relatively large amounts of currency that are handled within a casino, the temptation exists for both patrons and staff to commit crimes. Many casinos take security measures to prevent theft and other crime. The most basic level of security today consists of cameras located throughout the property operated by highly trained individuals who attempt to locate cheating and stealing by both players and employees.
While casino security of the past was nothing more than a "muscle man," today's security is a multi-million dollar investment that is as complex as a police department. Modern casino security is usually divided between a physical security force, often trained professionals who patrol the casino floor and responds to calls for assistance and reports of criminal and/or suspicious activities, coupled with a specialized surveillance department that operates the casino's closed circuit television system (known in the industry as the eye in the sky) in an effort to detect any misconduct by both guests and employees alike. Both of these specialized casino departments work very closely with each other to ensure the safety of both guests as well as the casino's assets, and have been quite successful in preventing crime. Some casinos also have catwalks in the ceiling above the casino floor. These catwalks allow surveillance personnel to look directly down, through one way glass, on the activities at the tables and/or slot machines.
In addition to cameras and other technological measures, casinos also enforce security through rules of conduct and behavior; for example, players at card games are usually asked and/or required to keep their hands visible at all times.
The amount of security that is used at a casino is determined based on local laws and ordinances and what the prosecutors in the region are willing to act upon.
