For gamblers, one of the most important things to know is that the house always wins. The odds are built into each game, and the more you play, the more likely it is that you’ll lose money. So how do casinos trick people who work hard for their income and make reasoned financial decisions on a day-to-day basis into throwing hundreds or even thousands of dollars away based on the literal roll of a dice or spin of a wheel?
Casino, a movie that Martin Scorsese describes as a “documentary” and which is based on the nonfiction book by Nicholas Pileggi, lays bare the web of corruption that enveloped Vegas in the 1990s. With tendrils that touched politicians, the Teamsters unions and mob families from Chicago and Kansas City, Casino is epic in scope and a fascinating history lesson.
One way that casinos manipulate gamblers is by hiding their real cash. Instead of actual bills and coins, they use colorful chips that aren’t quite the same as the real thing. The idea is to disassociate gambling from spending actual money, so that when losses come, they’re less painful.
Another way casinos can manipulate gamblers is by making it difficult to leave. This is why they usually don’t have clocks in them – they want you to lose track of time and keep gambling. Casinos also hide their exits, using a maze-like layout and decor that makes it difficult to find the door. They may also block out the sun by tinting windows, or erect walls to obscure views of outside.