When deciding on marketing strategies for casinos, many focus on demographics such as age, income, and education. These factors can be helpful, but they’re not the only way to understand your audience’s motivations and pain points.

Whether they’re playing blackjack or slot machines, casino patrons are socializing, drinking and eating, and using their hard-earned money to try out luck in a place that’s all about fun. These emotional decisions are important to understand so you can adjust your marketing strategy and products accordingly.

People are apt to make risky bets when they’re in a high-stress environment. Whether it’s an adrenaline rush or the desire to feel more powerful, these feelings can be exploited by casinos to encourage more betting. In addition, gambling is often a competitive experience and a chance to test your skills against those of other patrons. The opulent environment and ambiance of casinos are designed to inspire excitement and socialization.

In addition to the bright, often gaudy decor, casinos use colors like red that are meant to stimulate and cheer people up. They also have no clocks on the walls, a tactic that helps people lose track of time and concentrate more on their games.

In the past, casinos would offer big bettors extravagant inducements in exchange for their business. These include free spectacular entertainment, transportation, and elegant living quarters. Now casinos are choosier and only offer these privileges to high rollers who spend much more than average.