A casino’s a big place full of games that require nothing but luck, and there’s something a little bit magical about walking in and being surrounded by bright lights. But it’s not just a matter of free drinks and comps, there’s more to the casino experience than that. They have all kinds of ways to keep you playing longer, and they’re all based on psychology and human weaknesses.

For example, the slot machines are designed to be as addictive as possible. The machine accepts currency, you decide on how much to bet, then you press spin and hope for the best. They vary in style, from the machines with physical spinning reels to ones that replicate the action on a video screen, but they all work the same way. The only exception is video poker, where skill can be an advantage over pure chance.

And while modern casinos are designed with the patrons in mind, they’re still ultimately a business. The more time you spend at the tables, the more the house takes in, which is why they have to offer a variety of amenities to keep you there. The best of them also feature top-notch hotels, spas, restaurants and live entertainment.

And then there’s the security, which is a lot more high-tech than you might think. Cameras affixed to the ceiling watch every table, window and doorway, with the feeds being viewed by security personnel in a room filled with banks of monitors. They can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons, and the cameras’ footage is archived in case any crime or cheating is committed.