Casino Ethics: Windows

Are casinos acting ethically by not having windows?

Arguments for yes:
Like a pub, it's all about atmosphere

Arguments for no:
Like clocks, casinos don't want you to know about passage of time

Quote: kp

Are casinos acting ethically by not having windows?

Arguments for yes:
Like a pub, it's all about atmosphere

Arguments for no:
Like clocks, casinos don't want you to know about passage of time

Don't most hotels place the casino in thumb the basement, anyway?

Some casinos do have windows, and a great number of casinos are located on the main floor. In today's world, most people have a watch, cell phone, or other device to keep time. That wasn't true 10 years ago. Casinos don't have windows because they don't want you to be distracted from the gambling experience by the weather or time of day outside. I don't have a problem with a lack of windows, but once again, I feel it's an exercise to keep people gambling, so, unethical.

Most casinos don't have windows because the casino is central, and there are shops, restaurants, theatres, etc, along the perimeter.

Those that DO have windows, it's irrelevant, because unless you're playing in the first couple rows of slot machines, you wouldn't notice them.

If you remember the movie Bugsy, he wanted a panaoramic view of the pool, but it was expensive and a p.i.t.a. to build.

The only casinos I've seen IN MY LIFE with windows (and I've probably been in more casinos than anyone save the Wizard and rdw4potus) are the Riverside and Pioneer in Laughlin.

Rivers in Pittsburgh has a few but they are hardly visible from the gaming area.

The Grand Vic. in southern Indiana does and Greektown in Detroit as well.

If it ever gets finished, Revel in AC Is supposed to have a huge picture window - the entire lenght of the boardwalk side of the building, and wrapping around the sides a bit.

Note that the casino is going to be one or two floors ABOVE the boardwalk, so this view is not going to be obstructed by doors or anything else.

In fact, if I recall correctly, the casino will be split onto two levels, one level all slots, one all tables. So there will be a good view from both.

The Sugar House in Philadelphia has a lot of glass facing out to the river. Of course, the Refinery restaurant is closest to the windows, but you can indeed see out from the gaming area.

I think in the early days of casino design the windows were purposefully omitted in order to keep gamblers from knowing if it was day or night and keep them in the casino longer. I consider this unethical. On my last trip I stayed up the first night and did not realize how late it was until I saw the sun rise out the front door of the casino (MSS). The table emptied out shortly after I commented "Oh look, it's the sun rise."

Now days I think over casino design take president and windows will or will not be included based upon what fits best. Revel in AC is a prime example. They are going for the modern glass tower look and panoramic windows overlooking the boardwalk and ocean is a prime design feature. Sure, they will lose some gamblers when the sun rises over the Atlantic and lights up the casino. But to wall off that view to get a couple of extra dollars would be just silly. They may actually more than enough early rising gamblers coming down early to catch the sunrise to offset any late night guests going to bed.

Since today it is more about design than psychological tricks, I vote that casinos are acting ethically.

I believe newer casinos will have windows, as the presence or absence of windows affects gambling less than previously thought, and a good view is an asset, not a detraction.
I also think:
1. It is not a major issue: if you gamble, you go to a casino regardless as to whether or not it was designed with windows, or a red carpet instead of a brown carpet, or recessed lighting instead of hanging light fixtures or scones, etc. You look at their game offerings, and their accomodations, as primary considerations
2. People have watches, or at least a clue as to the time of day. If they don't - their fault, not the casinos. Besides, ask the dealer or floorman, and he's tell you, it's not a secret.
3. Nothing we can do about it anyway: write an angry letter to the Casino manager "I DEMAND that you install windows! AND clocks! This is an OUTRAGE! etc..."