It’s happened to all of us: you stride into a Luxor, Mohegan Sun, or Tropicana, wallet in hand, and plans for a bit of enjoyable, sensible gaming – along with a few rounds of drinks. But hours later, you’re at the ATM emptying your account, wondering what the hell happened. How do casinos get otherwise rational people – those who work hard and make reasoned financial decisions on a daily basis – to throw hundreds or even thousands of dollars away based on the literal roll of the dice, spin of the wheel, or draw of the cards?
The answer lies in casino design. These institutions are built to lure and compel, with everything from the lighting to the sound design to the layout rigged to lead gamblers deeper into the building. Even the bathrooms are strategically placed to discourage visitors from leaving: if you need to use one, it’s likely that the path will take you past more gambling machines and further into the maze of the building, where you might be tempted to stop for a quick spin or two of the slots.
Many casinos also waft scented oils through their ventilation systems, creating a manufactured sense of bliss that keeps gamblers coming back. And when they do hit that big jackpot, the lights flash and sounds blare, and everyone cheers – creating an illusion of possibility that encourages other players to keep betting. This is why, when it comes to casino games, physicists know the optimal strategy: don’t play.