The Casino Has You Under Its Spell

You stride into the twinkly, noisy casino with a wallet full of cash and a plan for some enjoyable, sensible gambling. But hours later you don’t know what time it is, how many rounds of cocktails you’ve had, or where the money went. The casino has you under its spell. It’s designed that way by using sounds, lights, and physical design to encourage you to gamble more.

The absence of clocks and windows helps create the sense of a non-existent world, where time disappears as you spin the roulette wheel or lay down bets on the next hand of blackjack. The music plays a key role, too, lowering your inhibitions and masking the pounding noise of the games. Free drinks also help keep you in the dark about the passage of time and money. Inebriation erodes judgment and makes you more likely to risk more on a bet, and casinos are notorious for serving alcohol freely to players.

Many casinos encourage customers to gamble for extended periods of time by offering complimentary meals and hotel rooms. This allows them to keep their guests away from the real world, allowing them to ignore basic human needs such as sleep and food in order to focus on gambling. They may even offer them rewards for putting in long sessions at the tables or slot machines, so their customers don’t feel as guilty about spending their money. This type of customer loyalty can make a casino a very profitable business.