One of Martin Scorsese’s finest films, Casino is an epic history lesson about Vegas that delves into the mafia’s control of the desert oasis. Based on the book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, this movie is a riveting look at the intricate web of corruption that centered in Las Vegas and had tendrils reaching into politicians, Teamsters unions, mob families in Chicago, and even the Midwest mafia based out of Kansas City.

Gambling has been a part of society since ancient Mesopotamia and has been popular throughout the centuries in many cultures, including the United States. In modern casinos, gambling is a huge industry that brings in billions of dollars every year. But how is it that rational people who work hard for their money and make reasoned financial decisions on a daily basis, throw hundreds or thousands of dollars away based on the roll of a die or the spin of a wheel?

The answer is psychology. Every aspect of a casino is designed to lead you into spending more money. Lighting, sound, and physical design all play a role in making the experience enjoyable and difficult to step away from.

Heavy drinking is also a key factor. By keeping players in an inebriated state, the booze lowers their inhibitions and clouds their judgment. It also helps to insulate the losses from reality, making it easier to keep betting with more money. Casinos often feature decor that tricks you into thinking it’s daytime, like light-colored carpeting and ceilings painted to match the color of daylight outside. Then there’s the glitzy music, cheering players, and other visual stimuli that make the gambling environment feel exciting and rewarding.