It’s happened to everyone: You stride into the glitzy, twinkly casino with your wallet full of cash and plans for a bit of enjoyable, sensible gaming and two rounds of drinks. But before you know it, it’s time to leave — and you have no idea how much money you’ve lost. You’ve fallen victim to one of the many tricks casinos use to keep you gambling.

From the physical design of your casino to its ambient music and scented oils, every aspect of the experience is designed to elicit positive emotions. That’s because emotional decisions are the ones that matter most to your patrons. They’re also the most profitable.

Every game in a casino has a built-in advantage, known as the house edge, that ensures the casino will win in the long run. To calculate this advantage, casinos employ mathematicians and computer programmers called gaming mathematicians and gaming analysts. They use their findings to design games that will be both fun and profitable for guests.

Despite the mathematical advantage, there are still ways for gamblers to beat the house. A simple trick is to start with a fixed amount of money you’re willing to lose. Whenever you feel like you’re losing too much, take a break or stop playing.

If you’re looking to grow your casino by attracting groups, consider using Cvent’s Competitive Market Ads to gain major exposure to hotel and destination planners who are searching for solutions in similar markets or sister cities. This kind of high-level visibility will help you stand out from your competition and earn the business that can transform your bottom line.