@A_Demigod_Community
Instead of just wasting time, the casino could have functioned as a psychological test for the trio. It represents the ultimate escape from the pressure of being demigods—no monsters, no prophecies, just fun.
A longer, more enticing stay would have made their eventual escape more meaningful, demonstrating their commitment to their quest and, specifically, to saving Sally Jackson (in the book) or completing their task (in the show).
The casino is populated by people from different eras who have forgotten their lives.
This is briefly shown, but a larger role could have highlighted the tragic, almost eerie nature of the place—young people wasting away in a "perfect" loop.
In both the book and the Disney+ show, the time spent there is relatively quick, with the main tension occurring at the very end when they realize how much time has passed.
The scene where they have to consciously fight against the magical apathy of the place to leave would be a great character moment for Percy, Annabeth, and Grover.
Later in the series (The Titan's Curse), it is revealed that Nico and Bianca di Angelo were trapped in the casino for 70 years.
A larger, more detailed exploration of the casino's history or a hint of its long-term residents in The Lightning Thief would have made the reveal of the Di Angelos in the third book feel more seamless and earned.
The Show Made it more of a "trap" with toxic air and focused on the characters' immediate, desperate search for Hermes, with the goal of making it more about the plot than the spectacle.
While a shorter, punchier scene works for pacing, a bigger role for the Lotus Casino could have added more emotional weight and thematic depth, emphasizing that the greatest threat to a hero isn't always a monster, but sometimes the temptation to give up their destiny for comfort.