When you walk into a casino, it’s easy to get lured in by the lights and sounds. It’s also easy to lose money if you’re not careful, as many of these venues are designed specifically to keep people gambling for longer periods of time.

This is done by using a variety of strategies, including scents and physical design. For example, casinos often use labyrinth-like walkways lined with enticing games. This can be especially distracting for those who are simply trying to find their way to the bathroom or exit. It can also encourage them to play a round or two of roulette, even though there’s a high chance they’ll lose.

Another way casinos trick their customers is by using the “sunk cost fallacy.” When a person is losing, they’re compelled to keep playing because of the emotional investment in the chips. But when they see someone else win, they’re reminded of their own losses, which may cause them to double down on bad bets.

It’s no wonder casinos have a reputation for being places of greed and corruption. But in a movie like Casino, director Martin Scorsese captures the essence of Vegas with an epic story about three mafiosi’s who can’t seem to stay away from each other and the game they love so much. Even though the film is almost three hours long, it never lags or runs out of steam. It’s a riveting look at the seedy underbelly of Vegas that is both entertaining and educational.