You’re in a twinkly, bustling casino. The music is pumping, the lights are flashy and there’s a smell of excitement in the air. You fill up on the buffet, roll your dice or spin the wheel, hoping to hit the big one. It’s a lot of fun, but there’s a whole other side to casinos that you may not be aware of.

Something about gambling, probably the sheer amount of money involved, seems to encourage people to cheat, steal or try to scam their way into a jackpot. This is why casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security. Casino security begins on the casino floor, where employees keep a close eye on players and games to spot blatant cheating or any suspicious behavior. Dealers are trained to recognize the smallest of signs like palming or marking cards, while pit bosses and table managers have a broader view of patrons and betting patterns that could indicate cheating.

The noise, smell and bright lighting of the casino are all designed to create a manufactured sense of bliss that draws people in and keeps them gambling. Even slot machines are programmed to give players near-misses, so they feel like they’re on the verge of a big win. It’s all part of a complex psychology that makes the casino experience unique from other forms of gambling, including lottery and Internet gambling.