The opulent atmosphere, flashing lights, and the constant motion of casino games create an environment that’s both welcoming and hard to walk away from. But casinos use a variety of tricks—including sounds, colors, and physical design—to lead you into spending more money than you should.

It’s happened to everyone: You stride into a Luxor, Mohegan Sun, or Tropicana brimming with confidence and your wallet filled with cash, with plans for a little enjoyable, sensible gambling and two rounds of drinks. Hours later, you have no idea what time it is, how many rounds of cocktails you’ve consumed, or where your money has gone.

This is exactly what the casino managers want, because they know that once you’re inside, it’s hard to leave. They also know that heavy drinking is an effective way to lower inhibitions, which makes you more willing to play a round of roulette or drop a few dollars into a slot machine.

A casino is a social hub that offers multiple opportunities to meet new people. Whether you’re playing at the table games or simply enjoying a drink in the bar, chances are that you will see and interact with people from all walks of life. This social aspect can make the experience even more fun and can help you build connections with others.

Director Martin Scorsese dials up the mob drama in Casino, which stars Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a casino owner who funnels money back to his mafia elders in Chicago. But despite the violence in this movie —including a torture scene, the attempted murder of De Niro by a Vice cop, and the death by overdose of Joe Pesci — it’s not used for shock value or style. It’s just part of the reality of these criminal enterprises.