Casinos Pump Oxygen
The United Kingdom has a rich history with real money gambling. To this Poker Illegal In India day, it is hard to walk down any main street in any town without seeing a storefront betting shop, and the British love to “have a punt” on all types of activities. The love for gambling of all forms in the UK led quickly to creating a huge online presence. Subliminal messages in slot machines. Even those who find the casinos’ business model to be. Luck is good fortune that happens beyond a person's control. Everyone hopes to have it especially stepping into a casino. You have probably heard about a few. The interior of a typical Vegas casino could be measure at a minimum of 1 million cubic meters. And many are much larger than that. For them to raise the oxygen level by even 1 percent, they would have to pump in about 40,000 cubic meters of oxygen gas each and every day. That would just about require a commercial oxygen plant to be nearby.
Myths, rumors, and urban legends, are pervasive, silly, almost always wrong. They are also almost impossible to kill. In today’s blog we are going to look at one particular urban legend that is closely linked to the HVAC industry: Casinos pump oxygen into the air to keep people awake, alert, and gleefully gambling. Without further ado, lets dive right into the rumor!
First off, we should establish the fact that this myth is 100 percent false. This doesn’t stop people from talking about it and telling their friends with absolute certainty that it is, in fact, correct. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s learn how and why we know this to be true.
The primary object when it comes to casinos pumping oxygen into the build, is that it is illegal! In fact, members of the Las Vegas Gaming Commission make regular appearances in each casino to test the oxygen levels in the building. They are make sure this exact thing isn’t happening. So there is reason number one.
Next, let’s talk about the infrastructure that would be required for casinos to pull this off. Las Vegas casinos are MASSIVE. The interior of a typical Vegas casino could be measure at a minimum of 1 million cubic meters. And many are much larger than that. For them to raise the oxygen level by even 1 percent, they would have to pump in about 40,000 cubic meters of oxygen gas each and every day. That would just about require a commercial oxygen plant to be nearby.
Finally, we have to consider the fire hazards. Oxygen is a well-known accelerant, which means it dramatically speeds up the spread of a fire. Pumping oxygen into a crowed casino would be very dangerous indeed.
Casino 'mind tricks' will be tested at artist Kate Brinkworth's exhibition |
The shortlist of towns vying to build the UK's first 'super-casino' - and 16 smaller venues - has been revealed, and competition is fierce.
Anyone who has been to Las Vegas will know that, once through the doors, casinos exude a curiously artificial aura. According to Kati St Clair, a business psychologist, the aim is to induce a trance-like state in gamblers.
'Casinos make you feel intimate, enclosed, euphoric; you're in a suggestible state in which you want to stay where you are, continuing to do what you are doing,' she says.
But how can a casino be designed to encourage people to gamble more and for longer?
Playing the tables in Las Vegas can be a disorienting experience, thanks, in part, to a lack of clocks and natural daylight. Casinos can even simulate daylight during the dark hours to lull players into remaining at the tables and slot machines, all the time parting with their cash.
UK rules: British casino operators will not be allowed to get away with such tactics. The proposed Gambling Act says customers must be aware of how much time - and money - they have spent gambling, and make sure that breaks in play are encouraged.
The soundtrack of a casino will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in a supermarket or shopping mall, and it's used to similar effect.
'Casinos are rather womb-like,' says Ms St Clair. 'Almost always the colour is red and the music is mild and on a continuous loop, rather than individual songs. All of this contributes to the trance-like state of a gambler. Nightclubs use the same sort of tactics.'
UK rules: There appear to be no rules to restrict the sort of music played in British casinos - a matter of regret, perhaps, to those who dislike piped music but are fond of a flutter.
One tactic used in some American casinos is to offer free alcoholic drinks and easy grazing snacks to keep punters betting. Those on a winning streak may have drinks brought to them so as not to interrupt play.
UK rules: This type of inducement will be frowned on in Britain. The UK's Gambling Act will rule out using alcohol to encourage people to gamble. But energy drinks are likely to be on the bar menu, to help keep gamblers stimulated.
No ordinary air-con for US casinos, where extra oxygen may be pumped in to help players stay alert. The manufacturer of oxygen boxes used in Las Vegas casinos has recently launched the product here.
And pheromones have reportedly been released from US machines to encourage aggressive gambling.
UK rules: Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has said such psychological trickery would be banned in Britain. 'We'll simply not allow any tricks which people are subjected to unawares and which increase the risk of problem gambling,' she said.
A Gambling Commission spokeswoman says chemicals to falsely enhance confidence will not be allowed. 'If we see it, we can levy unlimited fines upon them.' But these are not banned per se - hence an exhibition in London's Mark Jason Gallery next week, which will be using 'mood influencing' aromas, and other casino-style 'mind tricks' to see if art viewers can be turned into art buyers.
There's nothing like a near-miss to encourage a gambler to keep pumping coins into a slot machine or laying their chips on the table.
Not only can gaming machines be set to provide a certain number of near misses, these have become more sophisticated in the past decade so as to make a near-miss look even more tantalising.
'A near-miss causes a gambler to over-estimate their chances of winning,' says Dr Luke Clark, a Cambridge University psychologist. 'If their horse finishes second, or in a casino they watch two cherries come up on a slot machine and then see the third almost click into place, they'll keep playing. A problem gambler will keep playing for a third as long again.'
And when a gambler feels their skill can influence the outcome - throwing the die, say, or choosing lottery numbers - a feeling of control develops that keeps them gambling longer.
'There are subtle ways that casinos and slot machines can introduce near misses and perceived skill that encourage people to gamble,' Dr Clark says.
UK rules: Draft legislation says the rules of games, odds or house edge - a casino's in-built advantage - average return to the player, and dispute and complaints procedures must all be clearly displayed.
Vegas Casinos Pump Oxygen
Add your comments on this story, using the form below. Casinos already have no clocks in them. No windows and all dealers are forbidden from wearing watches, so that if a customer asks the time you don't know. There is currently a table service for all non-alcoholic drinks which are free. The alcohol needs to be kept away from the tables, not only to protect gamblers from getting into debt but also the dealers. If you have just lost £500 in ten minutes and you have also managed to get drunk doing it, how long before you take it out on the dealers?
Ellen, London
Tosh! Of course casinos seek to make customers comfortable. What leisure venue doesn't? Casinos are not invariably red. The music isn't a loop in any casino I worked in - there were individual songs. No music, no atmosphere - ask a customer. Simulating daylight when its dark outside? Used in Vegas in shopping malls outside gaming areas.
Geoff, Brighton
What about the loyalty cards? From them they know all about regular gamblers, which slot machine they prefer, what they eat and drink etc. Then in the post they get lots of vouchers for free meals, free transport, free entertainment, free drinks, special prize competitions, free hotel rooms. It is those that turn regular gamblers in to problem gamblers.
Cllr Steven Bate, Blackpool, UK
Banks have recently adopted a more comfortable atmosphere too with background music, soft lighting, soothing colours and some are also removing clocks...
Cameron, Ayrshire
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.
