Ever been to Vegas? Even a few times? Millions of people do it. It is an undeniable fact that the prospect of winning huge sums of money is the main draw for casinos. But how do they keep them gambling for as long as possible - even when they are losing? Casinos are psychological minefields. Their architectural design, including everything in it, is designed to keep players inside and spending more money. While some of the tactics used to achieve this are as conspicuous as the nose on your face, others are subtle and guile. But they manipulate the gambler’s psyche and make them feel comfortable, wanted, and most of all optimistic. Here are the top 9 maneuvers casinos use to keep rolling in more money.
No clocks
It is a well-known fact that few people actually wear watches. Casinos owners know this and do nothing to help them be punctual. This is crucial given that time seems to drift by at a faster pace when someone is involved in an activity that is as engaging as gambling in a casino. Be it at a table game, poker table or slot machine, most people remain in a trance-like state while chasing their dreams of making big bucks and with no visible clocks on the wall, time tends to slip by, days melding into nights and schedules dissolving into nothingness and all the while the casinos keep raking in profits.
No windows
Most casinos have windows close to the entrance but once a player gets inside, they will hardly notice any. Just like with having no clock, this tactic serves to disconnect players from whatever is occurring outside. If a player were to notice it getting dark outside, their internal clock would kick in and tell them it is time to move, which will most likely gambling and casino do their best to prevent this.
Flashing lights, Lights, sounds and lots of activity
Modern casinos are a cacophony of wonderful and alluring stimulation: siren-like lights flashing, bells ringing, slots wheels whirring and digital sound’s clanging - all meant to captivate by communicating non-verbally to your brain that you can Win! Win! Win! A casino is a hypnotic place with everything slick, gleaming and burnished.
Near wins
Nothing can get your adrenaline pumping like almost winning big and realizing that you almost took money from a casino bonus. However, if casinos were to give out money to everyone who almost won, they would go broke in a single day. Instead, they designed every game to pay out small wins in the short run while taking more from you overall. Everyone knows that slot machines make small payouts while perpetually being one star or cherry away from that big jackpot. Basically, everything is designed to make you overestimate your chances of winning. Essentially, it’s these near winnings that keep casinos in business.
Keeping the Big Winners
Anyone fortunate enough to win in a casino is treated like a king. They are offered things they cannot refuse, from free suits to special, extravagant treatment. The casino may lose money by giving away a free room or suite, but by keeping the winners, they increase the chances of winning it all back and they have the house to ensure that this always happens.
Maze-like internal design
Casinos are giant mazes designed to make you feel lost the moment you step in. A sea of tables and machines keep the player from leaving. Nothing is arranged in a logical manner, you may find a bank of lost machines in a location only to find a similar bank of machine 300 feet away. You know that the exit was located near the video poker machines, but exactly which set of video poker machines? Inevitably, you will end up confused. For many players, especially after drinking some alcohol, finding the exit is like participating in a large, interactive brain teaser.
The alcohol
Alcohol especially free drinks help the casino keep players satisfied, put and feeling cheerful. Next, it can make even the best players sloppy. For instance, if you always use basic blackjack strategy, alcohol will corrupt your brain and affect your ability to make good decisions. You are also more likely to get liberal with your money if drunk or buzzed. But to most, sucking down the free cocktails while enjoying the games is as good as it will ever get.
Mild, looping, hypnotic music
Playing background music with defined begins and ends would allow gamblers to chart the flow of time unconsciously. On the other hand, playing no music at all would make it possible for patrons to become aware of their environment. Casinos abhor such profound reflection and counter this by constantly looping mild music with no sharper crescendos, pulsing bass notes or sudden diminuendos. The music helps the gambler enter a trance-like state where they are aware of nothing but the game before them- all the while filling the casino's cash boxes.
Additional oxygen
Sleepy gamblers would likely head home to have a nap.To counter this, the houses pump in oxygen from pressurized tanks to help the gamblers feel awake, refreshed and able to gamble for longer. Some casinos have even been reported to use pheromones that promote feelings of comfort or euphoria, bringing the addictive nature of gambling to new heights.