The subtle and yet very effective way that every little detail inside a casino is used to achieve the desired outcome is an art form in itself. Much thought and consideration are put into every single bit of detail. In the end, the casino needs clients to stay a little longer, return more often, venture beyond the limits of their imagination and spend a little more than what the might initially have had in mind. This is how casinos stay afloat, and they achieve it through subtle aspects of design and the use of colour.

Many might already be aware of the fact that windows and wall clocks are a definite no in any casino. Casino management does not want to remind patrons how much time they have spent in there already. They don’t want them to watch the sun go down in a tremendous panoramic display of hues of gold and orange, nor to watch the break of dawn of a new day upon them. No clock with arms showing how much time has gone by in an accusative manner. None of these will ever be seen inside the walls of any grand casino.

Calming Colours

The little details which often do pass our watchful eyes are still much more subtle. Such a tiny little detail is hidden in the colour of the card tables. It might be easy to spend hours at the card table without ever wondering why they are always green. It is easy to assume that it is just an industry norm. Yet, green is considered to be a calm and relaxing colour, one that has proven to make people feel more at home in this intimidating environment of flashing lights, constant noises and crowded spaces. The art of keeping players calm is thus accomplished with the brilliant display of the colour green on tables. Counterbalancing other factors out and ensuring calm and relaxed players, always urged to go that one step further.

Another practical use of colour in casinos is in the very busy, often referred to as ugly, carpets. Regardless of whether the design of an average casino carpets suits your taste or not, we can all agree that they are notoriously busy. For this, many reasons have also surfaced. One is that it is another skilful manoeuvre of casino designers ensuring that patrons rather look away from the floor and on to the slot machines and tables. These are the areas where casinos want their patrons to focus and hence with very subtle and artistic planning; they force patrons to look away from where they have no interest. Alternative arguments state that it is purely done in such a way to hide stains and the many chips which land on the floor during the night, but in a place of magic and wonder, we prefer to settle for the initial explanation.