When you think of casinos, you probably envision glitzy decor and rows of slot machines that flash lights and spin to the music. You may also picture the ecstatic grins of players as they win big or cling to their losing bets. But most people don’t consider how the casino experience is designed to entice gamblers to spend more and crave coming back, no matter how much they lose.

Whether it’s a slot machine with physical reels or a video poker machine, all slots have the same mechanics: insert currency, choose a bet amount, press spin, and wait to see what happens. While some games have elements of skill, such as blackjack and video poker, most are pure chance, with the house edge always stacked against players.

One of the most effective tools casinos use to keep players gambling longer is offering free alcoholic drinks. These complimentary libations impair players’ judgment and make them more likely to place larger bets or continue gambling even when they are losing. Casinos are also notorious for not having clocks or windows, so they can hide the passage of time and trick players into playing longer than they intended.

Casino is director Martin Scorsese’s most violent film, featuring scenes such as the torture of a man with a vice and the murder by overdose of Joe Pesci’s character. But Scorsese doesn’t employ violence for shock value or simply to add tension. He uses it to illustrate how scumbag characters like Ace and Nicky can rise in Vegas, but ultimately get chewed up and spit out by its vicious machine.