A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games for its customers. They also provide other entertainment such as concerts, high-flying circus acts and top-billed singers. Casinos can be found all over the world. Some are as luxurious as five-star hotels, while others have a more traditional feel. The Bellagio in Las Vegas is one of the most famous casinos in the world, but there are many others to choose from.

It’s happened to all of us: We stride into a twinkly, noisy casino brimming with confidence, wallet filled with cash and plans for a bit of enjoyable, sensible gaming and a couple rounds of cocktails. But hours later, we’re staring at an empty wallet and feeling a little hungover. How did that happen?

The answer lies in the sleight of hand that casinos employ to keep people gambling. From the physical design of the space to the sounds and lights, these casinos are designed to trick you into spending more money. Here are nine ways they do it.

1. The sunk cost fallacy

When you gamble in a casino, you aren’t actually using real cash. Instead, you’re placing bets with “chips” that are essentially little discs representing actual currency. This helps to remove the sting of losing money, and it also makes it easier for you to keep putting in those bets, even when they aren’t working out.

Few directors know how to make a casino movie better than Martin Scorsese. From corrupt Wall Street financiers and Chicago mobsters to a deranged would-be assassin, Scorsese’s films are packed with characters that feel authentic. In Casino, he delves into the history of Sin City’s shady dealings and shows how a once-troubled town rose to become an global gambling empire.