9 Dirty Tricks Casinos Use to Keep Players from Leaving

Playing at a casino whether it is land based or online can be quite addictive. The thrill of hitting the jackpot or beating the dealer can keep the player from exiting the casino. Apart from the addictive nature of gambling, are there any tricks used by casinos that keep the player gambling even when they are losing? You bet they do!

Everything that you see in the best online casino has been designed and arranged to prevent you from leaving. While some might seem obvious others are more subtle and give the feeling of empowerment encouraging the player to keep chasing for that win. Here are 9 dirty tricks used by casinos to keep you playing –

What Happened to the Clocks?

Most of the people that visit a casino will do so without wearing a watch. It is just a well-known fact that few people consider wearing watches to be an essential part of their get up. Casino owners are aware of this and purposely do not put any clocks on their casino floor. The reason is simple – when you are having a good time at the roulette table you are less concerned about what the actual time of day is. The act of gambling puts people into a trance like state to an extent that people forget exactly how much time they are spending in the casino. Naturally the more time you spend at a casino, the greater is the likelihood of the house winning from you.

What Happened to the Windows?

The concept is similar to the ‘no clocks’ strategy. While you are most likely to encounter windows at the entrance of a casino, once you get in you are unlikely to find any more. If the casino were to put clocks inside, then the player would notice the sun going down which would trigger their internal clock and somewhat urge them to get going. Similarly, if they enter at night and see the sun coming up, that would also urge them to leave the premises as it would give them an idea of how much time they have spent at the casino. As a result, a casino floor will not have any windows with the hope that the player makes the casino their new home.

Flashing Lights & Sounds

The casino floor is never designed to be a quiet place. From the décor to the way the machines are laid out, it is a place that is beaming with energy, noise and flashing lights. All of these send signals to your brain that it is an exciting place to be and the myriad of sounds create that WIN WIN atmosphere inside your head. Needless to say, it is a hypnotic place designed to be slick and shiny.

Almost Hitting the Jackpot

The casino games you play have been designed to give you the illusion that you are always one step away from hitting the jackpot. They give you reassurance that you have what it takes to beat the house and to earn that extra bit of money. As a result, slot machines will pay out small wins in the short run in hopes that you will be sucked into playing for the long run. It is in the long run where they will take more money from you. The casino games have been designed to overestimate your chances of winning and it is the near winnings that keep you coming back for more!

Keeping the VIP Players Happy

Casinos know how to treat their high rollers. Once they have labelled you as a potential ‘whale’ they will throw everything but the kitchen sink to keep you happy. This can include freebies such as pick ups to and from the airport to majestic suites. By giving the VIP treatment, the player feels more inclined and more comfortable to spend at the casino which is where they make up the cost of the freebies and much more.

Giant Maze

If you have ever visited a casino in Las Vegas you will know that it is essentially a giant maze. Once you walk through the doors, you will feel completely lost. The machines are not laid out in a logical manner so that following a set of casino games does not guarantee more of the same games down the line. You might remember the exit being located near the roulette tables but with roulette tables scattered throughout the casino you will never be able to determine the right ones. All of this done to prevent you from creating a mental map of the casino floor which becomes even more hazy once you have had a few alcoholic drinks.

Free Drinks

Speaking of alcohol, the casino will be more than happy to provide you with a steady supply of free drinks. Free drinks are always welcomed by players and can keep them happy but importantly it can make them sloppy as well causing them to commit errors while playing. Furthermore alcohol has a detrimental impact on your ability to make good decisions and you are likely to be more liberal with your money once you have had a few shots of tequila.

Hypnotic Music

Providing background music that has a beginning and an end can help players identify how much time they are spending at the casino. Similarly, a lack of music can also help players concentrate more which will lead to wins for them. Casinos are once again aware of both instances and continuously play mild, looping music with no pulsing bass notes or sudden downturns. This puts the player in a trance like state and helps time slip by while the casino is fills up their treasure chest with the player’s money.

Surplus Oxygen

A typical human response to tiredness is get a nap. Casinos want to help you stay awake for as long as possible and deliberately pump in oxygen from pressurised tanks to keep you feeling energised and awake. Some casinos go as far as using pheromones that promote feelings of euphoria and happiness allowing you to gamble more.