There are many rumors about casinos. One I
posted about earlier is the belief that casinos pump in oxygen to encourage people to gamble more. (It's not true). Another rumor focuses on the
carpets in casinos, which are often noticeably ugly. The theory is that there must be some diabolical reason why they're so ugly.
David Schwartz, a historian of gambling,
writes, "Casino carpet is known as an exercise in deliberate bad taste that somehow encourages people to gamble." He's collected an extensive
gallery of photos of casino carpets.
There are four main theories to explain the carpets:
1) Colorful carpets better hide the stains (blood, vomit, etc.)
2) The carpets have subliminal themes and messages in them that encourage gambling. Schwartz (again) writes, "Many of the carpets use flowers and wheels, both suggestive of a cyclical life: flowers bud, bloom, and then die, and their beauty is only ephemeral. The wheel was famous to the Romans (note its prominence at Caesars Palace) as a symbol of the relentless capriciousness of fortune. Could both be subtle reminders to casino patrons that life and luck are fleeting, and one should eat, drink, and be merry before the morrow brings a swing in fortune?"
3) The ugliness of the carpets encourages people to look away from the floor and up at the gambling tables.
4) The intricate patterns are designed to conceal chips that gamblers accidentally drop. The
High On Poker blog writes, "Rumor has it, casinos make lots of money with a machine not traditionally on the casino floor: the vacuum. The rumor goes that every night/morning during clean-up the vacuums pick up all sorts of chips that have fallen on the casino floor. The kaleidescope vomit [pattern] with its reds ($5 chips) and greens ($25 chips) would serve as a perfect way to fool patrons into losing their dropped chips."
I think theories 1 and 4 are the most convincing. I've accidentally dropped chips on a casino floor, and it is hard to see them amid the swirling patterns. (via
High On Poker)
Comments
The most expensive rugs aren't solid tan medium pile with scotch guard, they look a lot more like those casino carpets. Carpeting with patterns like that is also a lot more expensive, so part of it is a show of wealth and style.
So while many might think they're ugly, the carpets are are ostentatious, expensive, stylish, and flashy; a perfect fit for most casinos.
I'm also inclined to believe hiding stains is a large part of it as well.
Hasn't anyone read "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas"?
You see similar boldly-patterned carpets in places like hotel ballrooms and lobbies, big restaurants, convention centers, and theaters, where covering stains is the only one of these objectives that would apply.
Casinos are obviously designed to be disorientating: Loud, lots of flashing lights, vague signs, no easy flow from point to point, no view of the outside. You are presumed to want to come there, then the disorientation helps to keep you there. The "ugly" carpets are simply part of the disorientation.
Frankly, I think #1 is the most likely scenario. More patterns make it easier to clean up messes. #2 makes a lot of sense also. The carpets do tend to have circular and flowery designs, as well as stars, which also suggests the loftiness and "reach for the stars" attitude encouraged by casinos.
Disorienting carpets would actually work AGAINST the casino. They want players to be comfortable.
Are casino carpets generally uglier than those in any other comparably large building? Hotel lobbies, gigantic office buildings?
Uglier by whose taste?
I like Dcrusoe's cut and reglue theory-it would help with the blood and vomit too.
They hardly change the carpets as most casinos are 24/7 and it would affect the business
;-(