As a movie, Casino is an epic tale of avarice and treachery with no heroes to root for. But there is a certain humanity to this film, even if its main characters are so twisted by greed that they are unlikable. The film also takes a deeper look at how Las Vegas works, revealing the many ways casinos manipulate their patrons to keep them playing and spending money.
One of the most insidious tricks casinos use is to change your cash into colored chips that don’t feel like real money. This helps to dissociate gambling from spending actual money, and encourages players to gamble longer in the hope of a bigger payout. In addition, casinos pump extra oxygen and pleasant scents into their ventilation systems to make their customers comfortable and euphoric, thereby increasing the likelihood they will spend more money.
Another trick casinos use is to remove any sense of time from their premises, ensuring that hours can pass without the player being aware of it. In addition, the casinos are known to serve alcohol constantly to their patrons, as it can lower inhibitions and cloud judgment.
The next time you go to a casino, set a fixed amount of money that you can afford to lose, and stick to it. And don’t drink too much, because the free booze will only lower your judgment and help you make poor decisions about how much to bet. After all, as any gambling expert will tell you, the house always wins.