How Casinos Use Tricks to Keep You Spending Money

It’s happened to everyone: You stride into the Luxor, Mohegan Sun, or Tropicana with a wallet full of cash and plans for a bit of enjoyable, sensible gaming and maybe two rounds of free cocktails. Then a few hours later you have no idea what time it is, how many drinks you’ve had, or where your money went.

Casino stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci as Ace and Nicky, two mob bosses in Vegas with competing visions for the city. While Ace is tough and basically honest for a gangster, Nicky is more erratic and lets anger drive his decisions.

The movie’s story of gambling, crime, and corruption is universal. But the film also shows how casinos draw people in with opulent decor, lights, and sounds, and lure them in by offering free drinks and loyalty programs that encourage playing longer. Casinos rely on these tricks to keep customers spending more money, even though the odds of winning are slim to none.

The biggest trick casinos use is making players believe that they’re winning – a psychological phenomenon called the sunk cost fallacy. It’s the reason why gamblers tend to continue placing bets after losing, or chasing their losses with higher bets. The best way to avoid falling into this trap is to set a fixed amount of money that you’re prepared to lose, and stick to it. In addition, you can also take control of your gambling habits by setting limits on your bankroll and avoiding addictive games like online slots.