Casino is the story of a family and a business teeming with greed, betrayal, violence, and corruption. A masterpiece from Martin Scorsese, it is a tense thriller that doesn’t let up till the end.
The word “casino” derives from the Italian city of Venice, where the world’s first casino opened in 1638. Casinos are designed to be at once welcoming and hard to step away from. From the music to the physical design, every detail of a casino is intended to lead you to spend more money. Here are nine tricks casinos use to keep you gambling:
1. The House Always Wins
A casino’s odds of winning a particular game are mathematically determined. That gives the casino a virtual guarantee of gross profit. Even in games where skill is involved, the house still has a built-in advantage, known as the house edge.
2. Heavy Drinking
Casinos serve a lot of alcohol, both to lower patrons’ inhibitions and to help them forget the sting of losing bets. As a bonus, the alcohol is often free.
3. A Labyrinthine Design
Casino interiors are deliberately designed to be confusing. They feature curving paths that catch the attention of gamblers who are just wandering through and convince them to try a game they might not have otherwise considered. And the lighting is designed to trick you, making it look like it’s daytime inside even though the windows are tinted.
To keep gamblers on the premises longer, casinos waft pleasant-smelling scents through their ventilation systems. This, combined with the bright lights and cheerful sounds of the gaming floors, creates a manufactured state of bliss that encourages people to stay. Casinos also take the sting out of losses by offering a variety of loyalty programs that reward players with points for every dollar they spend, regardless of whether they lose or win.