Читать книгу Casino Gambling For Dummies - Swain Scheps - Страница 71

In the old days, casinos simply had hired muscle watch after the owners’ millions. These days, casino security folks are considered important members of a casino’s floor team. Because it’s a dynamic and demanding job, casino security has become a true career; casinos offer competitive salaries and benefits so they can hire people who are mentally and physically fit.

Security staffs have a two-pronged task:

 Protect the casino’s property

 Safeguard the casino’s guests

Unfortunately, a security employee’s job is made less agreeable because one task doesn’t always go hand in hand with the other. For instance, some guests want to separate a casino from its money, either through cheating or through faking an injury in crowded conditions.

The responsibilities of security employees range from viewing the rows of surveillance cameras in high-tech rooms, patrolling the casino floors, and maintaining a constant vigil for fights, thieves, drunks, and other disturbances. Surprisingly, security also keeps a close eye on the casino’s employees. (Casino employees have initiated many cheating scams over the years.)

You can easily spot the security staff; they’re always available to help you resolve a conflict or point you in the right direction. Even though every casino is different, security staff members typically wear a quasi-military uniform, with a shirt that reads SECURITY or at least a nametag or badge that identifies them as such. Other identifying features include a walkie-talkie, a badge, and possibly a gun. Keep the gun in mind the next time you feel the urge to help yourself to the dealer’s chips.

Bigger hotels can have several dozen security officers working at the busiest times of day and a supervisor in each major area of the casino who manages the team. Security supervisors must wear many hats, including the hat of a diplomat. Their staff is on the front lines, both protecting and ejecting guests. When the occasional temper flares or a misunderstanding arises, the security supervisor must wade in to render an on-the-spot verdict.