Drop Box

Detailed Explanation

The drop box is a tamper-resistant, locked metal container bolted to the underside of each gaming table. It has a slot opening through which cash, markers, and fills are deposited. Each box is keyed and numbered to its specific table and shift. Periodically — typically at the end of each shift or daily — the hard count team collects drop boxes under strict surveillance, transports them to the count room, and tallies the contents under dual-control procedures required by gaming regulations.

The hard count team's procedures are designed to prevent theft and ensure accurate accounting. Collections require at least two people, are performed on camera, and the results are documented and reconciled against the daily table inventory.

In modern casinos, RFID-tagged chips and electronic table systems have supplemented physical drop counts with real-time electronic tracking, significantly improving revenue accuracy and reducing the window for internal theft.