The casino: a place where champagne glasses clink and people mingle, a place that gives an incredible buzz. It’s also a place where people can get caught up in a cycle of losses and gains that can quickly derail their lives, often because they don’t know how to stop. The truth is that casinos make billions of dollars every year off people who gamble, and while there’s a lot more to a casino than gambling games, those are what drive the profits.

In fact, the vast majority of a casino’s revenue comes from the games of chance like slots, blackjack, roulette and craps. The rest of the income comes from musical shows, shopping centers, hotel rooms and restaurant food. And the owners of these facilities spend millions of dollars each year to attract and keep people in their doors and playing the games.

But, how do they do it? How do they turn rational people—people who work hard for their money and make reasoned financial decisions on a day-to-day basis—into gamblers who lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars in a short period of time, all because of the roll of the dice or spin of the wheel? There are a few key things that a casino does to manipulate their patrons and get them spending more money than they should.

First, casinos trick their patrons into thinking they’re not losing as much as they actually are. This is called the sunk cost fallacy. Casinos use this trick by removing clocks from the walls, lighting their interiors the same both day and night, and using decor that tricks the eye into forgetting what time it is outside.

Second, casinos encourage players to continue betting by offering them comps. These are free goods or services that the casino will give to “good” players, such as meals, hotel stays and show tickets. These comps will keep a player at the casino longer, and they can even lure away players who’ve come to the casino for only one purpose.

The third trick casinos use is to design their facilities with a number of paths that will lead the player back to the gaming area. This is done by placing tables and machines in strategic locations around the casino floor, and by creating curving paths that will encourage a player to circle back and play another game instead of simply walking out the door. Lastly, casinos employ the use of audio, visual and lighting (AVL) technologies to create a mood that’s designed to keep the player playing.

In addition to sound, lights and physical design, the modern casino also uses video screens to enhance their games. This is particularly effective with younger generations who are used to technology in their daily life, and it can help bring them into the gambling experience. Moreover, it can also play a critical role in facilitating sports betting in states where this is legal. This feature is becoming more and more important, especially as the market for casino gaming continues to grow.