The Role of Scents in Casinos: Creating a Memorable Atmosphere

The aim of the game for any casino is to try and create a memorable experience. There are many different things that can contribute towards that experience, but one area that can often be overlooked is how a casino can smell. 

Smell is one of the first sensations that hits the senses when someone enters the casino floor and if the smell is off, the visit will be off to a disastrous start. 

Let’s take a look at the role of scents and how when blended right it can lend to a truly brilliant experience and a special atmosphere on the casino floor. 

Why is smell important? 

As we have already explained, before a casino can be sampled with your eyes, the first sensation that hits casino customers is smell. 

If a casino isn’t smelling right, players might be looking elsewhere.

Although it can often be an overlooked element in the overall experience, getting the scents and smells wrong can be devastating in creating a positive environment. 

Getting the scent right is vital

One of the most revealing findings from a report back in 1992 was how sweet scents would help contribute towards a special atmosphere and aid in seeing customers return.

With a special atmosphere created there is a much bigger chance that visitors to a casino will spend longer there and wanting to try out some of the other amenities that a casino may offer. Able to create a relaxed vibe, the effective use of scent is a unique way of creating customer loyalty.

As part of the overall floor design and casino layout, designers and experience managers will think about where best to lay down scent markers. This is where scents may be more powerful in some places in the casino over others. 

Two prominent areas within the casino floor where scent is used powerfully is at the slot machines and blackjack and poker tables.

In most casinos slot machines are often the busiest area. With slot machines usually ablaze with lights and noise, strong scents can help make the atmosphere more relaxed.

The same can be said with scents over at the blackjack and poker tables. These games can be played for hours and can require a lot of concentration and thought. In order to keep the atmosphere right for players who might be spending a lot of time at these tables, casino owners will want to keep the mood light and positive. 

What happens if the scents within a casino are bad?

If the scents within a casino are off, then quite simply it will lead to a poor customer experience. A bad smell will get a casino visit off to a poor start and make it highly unlikely that a customer will want to return. 

It could be argued that getting the smell right is more important than setting the mood with either the background music or lighting. Scent might be an under appreciated element when it comes to setting the right tone in the casino, but failure to do so will lead to severe issues.