Many people visit a casino as a fun way to spend a night out. They walk in brimming with confidence and a wallet full of cash with plans for some enjoyable, sensible gaming and maybe two rounds of drinks. Hours later, they have no idea what time it is, how much they’ve spent or where their money went.
Despite the flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are engineered to slowly bleed gamblers of their cash. They use everything from sounds to physical design to create an environment that is at once welcoming but hard to step away from.
The labyrinthine layout of traditional casinos is intentionally designed to encourage gambling, with no clear walkways from one game area to the next. Bathrooms are also far from the entrance, forcing gamblers to venture deeper into the casino in order to relieve themselves. This creates a sense of indebtedness, enticing players to spend even more than they intended.
Another tactic is to offer booze for free, because it lowers inhibitions and clouds judgment. Alcohol is served nonstop at card tables, slot machines and in front of the horse racing screens. Many casinos even serve food, further tempting gamblers to keep spending.
To limit their losses, gamblers should set a budget before entering the casino and stick to it. Researching the rules and payouts of a game beforehand can give gamblers an advantage, and setting a timer to prevent losing track of their money is an effective tool for staying in control. Casinos should also promote responsible gambling and offer tools like deposit limits, reality checks and self-exclusion to improve customer trust and satisfaction.