We’ve all strided into a casino, wallet filled with cash and plans for a bit of enjoyable gaming and two rounds of free drinks. And then, hours later, we’re wondering what time it is and where all our money went. The reason is that casinos are designed to manipulate your spending habits and it’s easy to fall prey to these tricks.

From the lights to the physical design of the building, every aspect of a casino is meant to encourage you to keep gambling and losing your hard-earned cash. Casinos also use clever tactics to disorient you, such as a lack of clocks and decor that makes it hard to tell what hour it is. They also employ sound and visual effects to distract you from thinking about the time you’ve spent or the amount of money you have lost.

But even when you’re not at a real casino, online casinos are designed to take advantage of your psychology. This is why it’s important to play only at reliable casinos that prioritise transparency, security and top-class customer service. Keeping an eye out for these key elements can help you make the best decisions and stay on track to have fun with your bankroll without getting scammed. To learn more about how to find a safe and trustworthy casino, click here.