You stride into a casino brimming with confidence and your wallet filled with cash, ready for a bit of enjoyable, sensible gaming and two rounds of cocktails. Hours later, you’re at the ATM again, losing money hand over fist – not to mention your self-control. It’s because casinos are designed to lure you in and keep you gambling, even if you’re not having any luck.
Bright lights, hypnotic sounds, and interesting architectural features create a manufactured sense of euphoria that makes it hard to step away. In addition, the opulence of casinos is often reinforced with scented oils that waft through the ventilation system to make you feel wealthy and successful.
And of course, the casino is full of booze — to lower inhibitions and cloud judgment. In addition, many casinos have restaurants and bars that serve free food or drinks to encourage people to stay longer. This is a classic example of the sunk cost fallacy, which encourages people to continue making bets despite previous losses because they’ve already invested so much time and money into their gaming experience.
To combat this, many casinos offer reward programs that give you points with every dollar played – even if you lose it. Rack up enough points and you get a free meal or room at the hotel, further encouraging you to gamble more. This is why it’s important to only play at reputable casinos that prioritise transparency, high-end security measures, and transparent policies.