It’s rare to see a ray of sunlight in a modern-day casino. The vast caverns full of blinking lights and second-hand smoke infamously lack windows to the outside world. Many think this is intentional, a psychological trick played by the house, which, as the saying goes, always wins.
quote: “You should forget when you entered the casino and how long you have been playing there,” one of the self-appointed experts on Quora explains. “For this reason, casino designers removed windows from the building structure to prevent players from seeing outside. Because the light would be an alarm for you spending the whole night at the casino!”
This theory has been repeated on Medium, YouTube, and other forums where citations are optional.
The truth is more complicated. Casino operators dismiss the idea that they conspire to disrupt their patrons’ sense of time. (In an article for Time Out Chicago, the manager of the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, pointed out that nearly everyone carries around a phone that doubles as a clock.) But thought leaders in casino design have been open about how they keep gamblers engaged, and some of their approaches avoid the use of natural lighting.Bill Friedman, former manager of Castaways and the Silver Slipper in Las Vegas, wrote what might be the definitive book on the subject, Designing Casinos to Dominate the Competition. Released in 2000, the book is organized into 13 principles (like “Gambling Equipment Immediately Inside Casino Entrances Beats Vacant Raised Entrance Landings and Empty Lobbies”) . He exhaustively covers every aspect of casino interior design in over 600 pages.
Friedman promotes a maze-like layout that keeps visitors curious about what’s beyond the next corner while also giving them small cubbies in which to be entranced by specific games. The overall intent is to keep the gambler focused on the machines rather than the larger environment. As neuros
Because casinos are designed to make players lose track of time, how do they manipulate the environment to achieve this effect?
## Casino Design: More Than Meets the Eye
**Guest Host:** Today we’re diving into the fascinating world of casino design and its subtle psychological tricks. With us is Dr. Sarah Jennings, a renowned expert in consumer behavior and environmental psychology. Dr. Jennings, welcome to the show!
**Dr. Jennings:** Thank you for having me.
**Guest Host:** Let’s talk about this intriguing absence of clocks and windows in many casinos. Online, there are claims this is a deliberate strategy to disorient players and encourage them to gamble longer. What’s your take on this?
**Dr. Jennings:** It’s certainly true that casinos are meticulously designed environments. Many of the design choices, including the lack of clocks and windows, are intended to create a timeless and immersive experience for the players. While it’s difficult to definitively say that it’s a conscious effort to “trick” people, the goal is undoubtedly to make players lose track of time and fully engage in the gambling activity.
**Guest Host:** Some experts suggest that the lack of natural light can also impact players’ perceptions and decision-making. Is there any truth to this?
**Dr. Jennings:** Absolutely. Studies have shown that artificial lighting can influence our mood and cognitive functions. The bright, stimulating lights often used in casinos can create a sense of heightened arousal and excitement, which can lead to riskier decision-making. This, combined with the absence of natural cues like daylight, further contributes to the feeling of timelessness and detachment from the outside world.
**Guest Host:** Fascinating. So, it’s not just about keeping track of time, but manipulating the entire sensory experience to encourage gambling.
**Dr. Jennings:** Precisely. It’s a multi-faceted approach, and the absence of clocks and windows is just one piece of the puzzle. Other factors like the layout of the casino, the soundscape, and even the scent all play a role in shaping the players’ experience.
**Guest Host:** Thank you so much for shedding light on this intriguing topic, Dr. Jennings. It’s certainly given us a whole new perspective on the world of casino design!
**Dr. Jennings:** My pleasure. It’s important for us to be aware of the subtle ways in which our environment can influence our behavior.
