A casino is a fun place to meet friends, mingle and try your hand at luck. But beyond the games and food, what makes a casino stand out is its atmosphere. It’s a place where champagne glasses clink and tourists and locals alike mingle to create an incredible buzz.

Casinos are designed to be labyrinthine, and their layout is intended to catch you in a loop. There are no straight aisles leading to the doors; instead, there are curves that lead you to table after table and machine after machine. It’s an experience that is meant to distract you from your desire for rest, water and basic human needs so that you keep betting money you don’t have.

Another trick casinos employ is to take the sting out of losing bets by offering loyalty programs that reward you with points for each dollar you play, even if you lose it. This helps you feel like you’re not completely out of pocket and makes the next game more affordable. Plus, many casinos also offer free food and drinks to encourage you to gamble even more.

While gambling can be a lot of fun, it’s important to know your limits and stick to them. Despite the false sense of hope created by slot machines and the cheers from other players when someone wins, winning is not a guarantee. In fact, it’s very likely you will end up spending more than you’re bringing in. That’s why it’s important to understand how the sunk cost fallacy works and make sure you play within your means.