Casino is a movie about gambling, but more than that it’s also a movie about how casinos manipulate their patrons. It’s a documentary about the shady practices of the gambling industry, and its connections to organized crime. Unlike films like Goodfellas, which only scratches the surface of mob life in Vegas, Casino lays bare the nefarious underbelly of this sin city.
The opulence and neon lights of casinos create a false sense of bliss that makes it difficult to walk away, even when you’re losing big. That’s why they have to use everything in their arsenal – from sounds and visual cues to physical design – to convince people to keep spending money.
When people win, the bright lights flash and the sounds blare. This is designed to make other players jealous and encourage them to continue playing, even when they’re losing. It’s called the sunk cost fallacy.
To combat the sunk cost fallacy, many casinos offer loyalty programs that allow players to earn points for every dollar they spend, regardless of whether they win or lose. This is a great way to take the sting out of losses, making it easier to gamble more.
While some may see this as a form of corruption, it’s important to remember that casinos need their players to survive. If a player is not earning enough money, they won’t be able to play, and the casino will lose revenue. That’s why a casino will offer free shows, transportation, rooms and other inducements to lure in customers.