Whether you’re an active believer or just aware of some of the myths that exist around casino design, chances are you’ve given a thought or two about their legitimacy. The same went for me when I first moved to Vegas and began hitting up local spots like Rampart Casino or Suncoast Hotel & Casino. While as a player I never bought into the distracting carpet myth, I often pondered why the machines were so close together or why there weren’t more windows to let the sunlight in.
Eventually, when I started working at an actual casino, I was able to begin to learn more about the inner workings behind all the perceived glitz and glam. While I was officially part of the marketing department, working in a casino often means you wear a lot of hats or, as we always like to joke, are responsible for “other duties as assigned.” For me, that meant that my social media role often bled into more tangible assignments around the building, including putting out signs or checking the floor (aligning chairs, making note of excessive messes, checking digital screens for correct messaging, etc).
Over the years, some of those “other duties as assigned” endeavors also included being involved in discussions about “capital projects.” Capital projects, which was a new term to me at the time, are almost always viewed as improvements to the property and are long term, normally pricey, commitments to the future. Oftentimes, these improvements just so happen to be implicated in casino myths.
While I can’t speak to everyone’s thought process in the rooms where these conversations played out, I can say that these myths are (nearly) completely false. Read on below to discuss some of the most universally known casino design myths, and let us know what you think we should discuss next in the comments!
Natural Light
When most people think about casinos, they picture a dark environment with a noticeable lack of windows to the outside world. With windows, things can be viewed a little more black and white than the other items on our list. You have to consider the building’s location. Are they located in a downtown environment with a shared wall that may not allow windows to be added? Security in the casino industry is also HUGE. Windows can be a safety concern.
Now, with safety and location practicality out the way, it can be argued that light is starting to be embraced by new builds. Places like Durango Casino & Resort (a Stations property) embraced grand entrances with floor to ceiling window glass, lined with reflective stone that helps the light penetrate deeper onto the floor. The first time I remember being positively taken aback about the amount of natural light was when I visited Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California. Their non-smoking casino features giant floor to ceiling windows along the back wall, and it was so refreshing to be able to drink my morning coffee while the sun was coming up.
Floor Layouts
While there is definitely some serious thought put into the floor design of any given casino, the thought process isn’t designed to confuse people, but instead looks more at the types of games that are being grouped together and how the floor makeup looks manufacturer wise. Casinos also prioritize sight lines where players can see the various games deeper in the casino, as opposed to an exit door – they want to show off what they’ve got!
You may have noticed that over the past few years there has also been a shift away from long rows of machines. Instead, slot floor managers are now opting for more circular pod structures. These pods allow players a little more personal space instead of sitting right up against someone.
While I can’t say for certain, I would also wager this is a response to how people are playing slots. Taking a look around the floor of some of my favorite places to play, there appear to be a lot more groups of people playing together. Obviously, if you have a couple or group of friends trying to squeeze into a two foot wide space, things are going to get a little tight for everyone involved, including the stranger sitting next to you. Nothing is worse in my opinion than a grumpy slot neighbor. (We do not need that energy!)
Note: If you have played in the smokefree area at Plaza Hotel & Casino, you’ve seen a similar setup. The games in the middle are not in rows, they are bunched together to maximize space (for both the player and room) while allowing people to freely move around the area. You’ll also remember that the room features ample natural light and gorgeous views of the neon once the sun goes down.
Carpets
In my humble opinion, the myth that casino leaders pick carpets with the goal of disorientating guests is the most laughable. While casinos love when people are actively playing on the casino floor, they also love when they meander on over to the bar to purchase a drink or hit up any of the overly priced shops they also control. If casino carpets were so disorientating that people couldn’t figure out how to walk off the floor, that would be a big problem.
The secret with the carpets is… stains. Carpets are picked that can easily disguise or diminish the impact of spilt drinks or tracked in messes. This also explains why you may see lighter carpets in the high limit spaces of casinos. These areas are often smaller with less overall foot traffic, meaning they benefit from the lighter colors, and smaller spaces are obviously cheaper to recarpet when someone inevitably drops a drink.
