It’s happened to everyone: You stride into the Luxor or Mohegan Sun with a wallet full of cash and grand plans for a bit of fun gaming and a round or two of drinks. But hours later, you’re still at the casino – and your bank account is a lot lighter than when you entered. This is because casinos employ a number of tactics to lead you into spending more money than you originally intended.
They do this with lighting, design and even sound. You’ll never see a clock in a casino, because the management wants you to lose track of time and keep pressing your luck. It’s also why casino interiors are often painted in deep reds and dark hues, a color that is known to stimulate the brain and make people lose track of time.
As soon as you step into a casino, you’re immersed in the sound of slot machines and other games. Loud, pulsing music helps to create the euphoric feeling of winning and encourages gambling habits. Casinos are also designed to be maze-like, with no clear pathways from the front door to a bathroom or other exit. This means you have to pass more opportunities to try your luck before you find a way out.
Most importantly, casino marketing must promote responsible gambling and include features like deposit limits and self-exclusion tools so that players can control their spending and manage addictions. Additionally, fast and reliable payouts will improve trust in the casino.