A casino is a place where champagne glasses clink, cocktails are served and people try their luck at games of chance. There’s an exciting atmosphere with music blaring, bright lights and the smell of cigarette smoke. It can be quite intoxicating – even for the most jaded gambler.
When it comes to designing a casino, every detail matters. The AVL (audio, visual and lighting) design is one of the most critical components that affects the overall experience. There are a variety of factors to consider, from the ceiling to the carpet.
It’s also important to understand what goes on behind the scenes. The casino is a business that is run by people who are skilled at attracting customers and keeping them there. A good example is the use of “comps” – free goods and services given to high-volume players to keep them playing. These can include hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows or even limo service and airline tickets. A friend of mine worked security at a casino in Atlantic City and once told me that he had to quit because of the number of people who would soil themselves in front of slot machines thinking they were on a winning streak.
After the healthy return on his film Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese teamed up with star Robert De Niro and director Joe Pesci for Casino. This mafia drama focuses on the rise and fall of casino mogul Frank Rosenthal, but it also serves as a history lesson about Vegas itself. It explains how the mob lost control of a city that had previously been minting money in the billions.