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Casinos have always been built to catch the eye. They are flashy, loud, interactive, and amusing, and built to keep the customer (or gambler) as diverted as possible. This is why casinos have become intricately themed, particularly in Las Vegas—their elaborate floor plans, lack of windows inside the casino itself, and staggering architecture are intended to keep visitors inside so that they buy things and continue to gamble.
Slot machines are the microcosmic version of the casinos themselves; they are easy to understand, endless in their variety of themes, and built to attract attention. Upon entering a casino, the slot machines are the first thing you see—standing in rows upon shiny, glittering rows, with their seats available and an arm pull that beckons to even the most cynical gamesters. Slot machines appeal to the masses because anyone can operate them and they offer the biggest hours, zone out, relax and not spend very much money. The possibilities for slots are boundless: the bets range from one cent to ten or twenty dollars.
Another enticement of slot machines is that they pay out more frequently than other gambling games, which often demand more patience. Playing a slot machine is quick and easy and it is practically guaranteed that players will make some of their money back. This turbulent back and forth, between losing and winning, is what keeps gamblers at the slot machines—the losses seem small and pardonable as compared to the excitement and reward that is experienced when one wins—the sounds and flashing lights.
