On the surface, casinos seem like a fun place to spend Saturday night with friends. From dazzling light fixtures to endless rows of slot machines, these attractive establishments have everything it takes to create a fantasy world. But what many guests don’t realize is that every detail in a casino is designed to make them spend more money and crave coming back, even though the house always wins. Read on to learn about the psychology tricks and designs that entice gamblers into spending more than they intended.
While it is true that casino games are based on chance, some do require a certain amount of skill. Examples include poker, blackjack and keno, all of which have elements of strategy that can reduce the house edge. Additionally, sports betting and horse racing are not considered casino games because they do not rely on pure chance to win.
The majority of casino profits are made from the large number of patrons who lose more than they spend. The casino advantage is mathematically determined and can be as low as two percent, but it adds up over time, giving the casino enough money to build elaborate hotels, fountains, towers and replicas of famous landmarks.
Casinos use an extensive surveillance system to watch all of their patrons, from table managers and pit bosses to dealers and even the customers who just stop by for a quick drink. Video cameras can be manipulated to focus on a specific table or window, and all of the actions at a game are recorded by computers for later review.