How Casinos Manipulate Their Patrons

The movie Casino lays bare the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas, while still portraying it as a fun and glamorous place. The film is the story of mobster ties to organized crime and the city’s transition from a seedy gambling hub into a massive corporation minting billions in annual revenue. But the movie also shows us how casinos manipulate their patrons, using sounds, lights, and physical design to keep them playing for more money.

Once you enter a casino, it’s hard to tell what time of day or night it really is. Most casinos have window tint that blocks out sunlight, and the lighting is kept at a constant level that doesn’t change with the sun setting or rising. This creates an artificial sense of time that can help people stay longer.

In addition, casino games are designed to make players lose. Most casino slots have a built-in house edge, and even games that have a skill element — such as video poker — will give the house an advantage over players who use optimal strategies. That means that most patrons will lose money, especially if they play for a long period of time.

To combat this, many casinos offer rewards programs that reward players with points they can redeem for food and drink. This takes the sting out of losing, and it reinforces the sunk cost fallacy that convinces gamblers to keep playing, believing that they will eventually win back their losses.