Imagine you’re out for a night in Vegas with friends, and you think: ‘Sure, I’ll play just one game.’ And then one leads to another. Before you know it, the money you were saving for the buffet is all gone.
It’s likely not surprising to learn it’s all by design. Researchers have studied how a casino’s carefully designed architecture and interior décor influences the behavior of gamblers.
In one study, nearly 500 gamblers watched video walk-throughs of casinos and shared what they did or didn’t like, as well as their intentions to gamble there. Flashing lights, crowded spaces, and rock music are among the variables often found to cause people to play longer or try more games than they planned.
Before 1990, most casinos resembled a maze of flashing slot machines with low ceilings. Today, newer casinos feel more like resorts with high ceilings and spacious areas designed for socialization.
This new style is called a “playground design,” and these casinos aim to rejuvenate gamblers for more gambling and offer recreational activities like shopping, spas, bars, restaurants and performance venues. Overall, the study’s participants found playground casinos to be more pleasant, and their enjoyment of the space increased irresponsible gambling intentions.
Casinos old and new present risks regardless of their design. The rejuvenation of the pleasant environment in playground casinos enables more gambling, while a maze-like casino’s dizzying lights and complex layouts can cause players to make poor gambling decisions.
So, the next time you’re at a casino, enjoy the glitz and glamour. Just remember your limits and make sure the games are the only thing getting played.
A special thanks goes to Glenn NP Nowak, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Learn more
Sources
Assessing the Contribution of Gambling Venue Design Elements to Problem Gambling Behaviour, University of Guelph
Chasing Wins to Chasing Memories Visitor Trends Playing Their Hand in the Casino Floor Through Informed Architectural and Interior Design Cues, University of Nevada
