To maximize their profits, casinos focus their investments on high rollers, those who spend a lot of money. These individuals gamble in special rooms off the main casino floor. These gamblers may play games worth tens of thousands of dollars, and the casinos profit hugely by catering to these customers. These high rollers are often rewarded with free comps, luxury suites, and lavish personal attention. But what can the average casino visitor expect from such a casino?
Casino customers gamble by playing games of skill or chance. While most casino games involve chance and luck, some games have a mathematical edge, which ensures that the house has a slight advantage over players. This edge is known as the house edge or rake, and is deducted from the winnings of the casino customers. Additionally, casino customers may receive free food, drinks, or comps. The payout is the percentage of winnings returned to the player.
A comp program is similar to an airline frequent-flier program, where you accumulate points by wagering in a casino. These points can be exchanged for free slot play, free or discounted drinks, or even discounts on shows. These programs are important to casinos because they create databases of their patrons, which they can use for advertising and trend tracking. In the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos offered discounts on travel packages and free buffets. Their strategy was to attract a large number of visitors and fill the casino floor with people.