Stepping into a casino is like stepping into an alternate reality, one with flashing lights, music blaring, and coins clinking. The atmosphere is intoxicating and makes the idea of gambling with real money seem somehow less risky than it really is. In fact, casinos are designed to be as psychologically immersive as possible.
Whether they’re in Vegas or online, casino games attract a wide range of players who are looking for escapism and entertainment. Hobbies like these give the brain a healthy release of feel-good hormones that counteract stress and anxiety. They also make us laugh, which boosts the immune system and helps improve concentration and cognitive function.
In addition, casinos have a number of other tricks to make their gambling more addictive. They offer free drinks, which lower inhibitions and cloud judgment, and they make it hard to know what time of day it is, thanks to windows coated with tint that dampens the light. Casinos are intentionally labyrinthine, with no straight aisles leading to exits and no clear pathways from one gaming section to the next. This design encourages gamblers to keep spending money despite the fact that they’re losing chips by the fistful.
The key to understanding why casinos work is to realize that they’re designed to create false feelings of success and momentum. When a player wins at blackjack, for example, the cheers that erupt aren’t because of the player’s skill but because the house is earning money from the game. This money is earned through a commission called the “rake” or “vig.”
