Psychology, Design and Economics of Slot-Machines

Trolas 07-22-2007

"You know it becomes a problem when it becomes emotional, something you can't do without."

This statement—made by an ex-gambler who had been hooked on slot machines since he was ten years old—gives us a glimpse into the powerful and controlling grip that slot machines and other forms of gambling could come to have on one’s life. Yet, the statement hardly comes as a surprise to many of us; after all, gambling as a growing social problem is a fairly well-known and well-publicized phenomenon. Reports about problem gamblers and ruined lives abound on small-town weekly newspapers and the New York Times alike, to such a degree that we have grown almost insensitive to them.

Yet, it cannot be denied that the issue remains to be an important one—one with real consequences and unanswered questions. Indeed, much research has been devoted to studying gambling behavior from various points of view, including the psychological, social, economic, and political bases and implications of gambling. And although gambling is as old as human civilization, slot machines are a relatively new variant on this age-old form of entertainment that have enjoyed explosive popularity since their introduction, and are now virtually ubiquitous in casinos and saloons everywhere. Focusing on slot machines reveals and inspires the study of many sociological issues that have come to express themselves specifically and notably on these machines. Here, we examine a number of these issues, attempting to link slot machines to them in an effort to better understand and explain them.

SamiJo

I went to a casino a few weeks ago and played slot machines...i just dont get it. my mother is obsessed with them - she will sit there (and did that day) for 4-6 hours and just keep feeding it money. i quit and just walked around and enjoyed the free drinks, sitting there too long caused me to feel like i was in a trance or soemthing, ears ringing and all that. ugh.

Hsoolien

I've never understood the phenom of gambling myself, I just don't enjoy any situation that sees me lose more then i win (and of course in Casino's that's just the way of it) as to bringing money into skill based games, who cares about the cash, it's the skill

SamiJo

i asked my mom why she did it, personally i can think of about 100 ways to spend $500 other than putting it into a machine HOPING i might win. she said that for those (like herself) that are obsessed/addicted its the thought that maybe the next time they will hit big. talk about no self control.

Raven

Casino's been using psychology on people since they started. The wole thing is based on keeping you in the building as long as possible. Most of them remove the clocks so you forget about the time. You be surprise how often no one will look at a watch when they are in them.

Wyntre

I'm w/ Sami ... Don't see a point in it...
Sure if you like taking the chance with money and you can afford to, why not...

But I am a ppppooo messican... don't needa go throwing money away on a chance...

SamiJo

yea i was CONSTANTLY checking the time on my cell phone when i was in there. they had like 2 clocks ni the whole place. when we finally left like 6 hours later, went outside and the sun was still up I felt like i had been missing for months! i can see how people can lose themselves in there

Hsoolien

Up here law demands that video lottery terminals have a clock on them so you always know what time it is. They also if I recall warn you after so many hours have passed.

Gambling is an addiciton much like MMO's (think world of warcraft), abd various ohter various life consuming hobbies. It's in the head, but people don't see the addiction because it's not an actual physical drug.

SamiJo

yea, i love it when people try to say they aren't addicted just because they aren't physically putting something in their body. i guess this would fall in the same catagory as like sex addiction, more the physical act of doing something instead of popping pills or something.

Hsoolien

I have few mental addictions, the biggest I would say being I'm a workaholic. I also love to eat good food. Probably call me a sex addict but well withdrawal has long faded now