The word casino may conjure visions of twinkly lights, flashing slot machines and roaring roulette wheels. But the reality is that casino gambling is a high-stress, high-risk pursuit. In fact, it’s almost always in your best financial interest to avoid gambling altogether. The math is stacked against you, and even the most experienced gambler knows that it’s not all about lady luck. Whether you’re playing craps, roulette, blackjack or video poker, casinos have built-in advantages that ensure they will win over players every time—known as the house edge.
So why are so many people drawn to casinos? In addition to their glitz and glamour, casino gambling has become synonymous with exotic locales such as Venice, Monaco, Singapore and Las Vegas. This added glamour and celebrity status has boosted their appeal to international audiences and made them the perfect backdrop for films such as Ocean’s 11.
Today, casinos go to great lengths to influence their visitors’ behavior. They use color, scent and sound to create a manufactured sense of happiness and euphoria, which encourages game players to spend more money than they would otherwise.
Casinos also offer many other amenities that compete with one another to attract and retain customers. These amenities include luxury hotels, cutting-edge technology, event spaces and award-winning spas and restaurants. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s important for casinos to understand what trends are shaping the marketplace and how they can best position themselves to capitalize on them.