Roulette Rake What Is This Part Of A Roulette Table For?

What is this part of a roulette table for? - roulette rake

In this picture, the metal, a goal only on the left side and is purple lounge above the word?

It drives us nuts in the office. I think it holds rake.

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2007/07/02/ ...

Thanks in advance!