The Psychology of Slot Games: Why We Keep Spinning
Gambling and casino games have captivated us for hundreds of years, with many dating back to ancient times. The popularity of classics like poker and blackjack aside, slot games have become particularly popular in modern times, especially in the age of online casinos.
While much of their appeal is inherent, there are also many other reasons why people love slot games. In light of their designs, and how human brains are hardwired, here’s a look at the psychology of slot games and why we love them so much.
Key Psychological Factors that Slot Games Play On
Slots are plentiful at the newest sites on the market, with some of these sites hosting over 4000 such games, according to Johnathan Askew. But whether you’re playing online or at your local casino, a couple of features define these games. For one, slot games use Random Number Generator (RNG) technology to ensure fairness. Essentially a computer program that guarantees randomness and a fair outcome based on the game’s preset protocols, RNGs are a hallmark of legitimate slot games.
Aside from this, real slot games will also have factors built into them like Return to Player (RTP) scores, which basically control how often and likely they are to payout. Factors like these ensure that players all have a fair chance of hitting the jackpots and that such jackpots are guaranteed to payout at given intervals — it’s just your luck if you happen to be playing when they do.
With this in mind, here’s a look at the most common psychological factors at play in slot games.
Instant Gratification
The promise of earning an imminent reward is built into slot games. To that end, it’s widely known that not every spin will result in a win. In fact, most spins will likely lose more often than they win. However, the idea of instant gratification isn’t exclusive to slots. Because of this, the idea that each spin may result in a jackpot is enough for players to constantly anticipate the instant gratification of winning big, even if this is a reality that only materializes for a rare, lucky few.
Real Stakes vs. Entertainment
For most players, the thrill of winning and the uncertainty of losing make slot games more exciting. Every spin carries the promise of a possible life-changing moment but ultimately rests on the bargain that each spin costs real money to take that chance.
By mixing together the jeopardy of using real money and the games having very real stakes, slot games provide an added thrill. However, slots at online casinos are also colourful, often themed according to pop culture iconography, and designed to be fun, whimsical, and entertaining even if you’re losing. Together, this combination has a lulling effect that helps players accept that every spin is a gamble.
Conditioning and Reinforcement
Everything about slot games, from their colours to sounds, flashing lights, catchy music, and fun themes is designed to condition us to expect a win. By forming associations with winning, players reinforce the idea of winning each time they play, whether a major win materializes or not.
Through a process of conditioning, players also become hardwired to keep trying. Essentially, using the reward system of our brains, players have the idea of winning slowly conditioned into their brains and then reinforced by how slot games are designed and made to be played. While it’s this same trait that makes them fun and exciting, it’s essential to remain aware of this so players are always in control of how they play and know when to call it a day.
Cognitive Dissonance
The fact that most players are fully aware that slot machines are designed to pay out less than they take in, but continue to play, is an example of something known as cognitive dissonance. This essentially works by a person ignoring evidence of something in order to keep up their belief in something else.
In the context of slot games, players may ignore the fact that their chances of winning big are slim, in favour of trying to win anyway because there is a chance they could. Of course, in ideal situations, and with trustworthy games, they do have an actual chance of winning a jackpot-level payout. However, it’s important to keep both that possibility, and the reality of the actual chances in mind, as this can help foster responsible playing, proper management of a playing budget, and help a player enjoy their game regardless of the outcome. Luckily, as online casinos continue to evolve and advance, they are increasingly adopting AI technology, which can now even be used as a tool to help enthusiasts play responsibly.
Conclusion
Slot games are extremely popular worldwide. In the 21st century, online casinos’ massive success and proliferation have made them far more accessible and widely played than ever.
While slot games represent a fun and exciting way to win real money, their appeal is also augmented by a range of perfectly legal psychological elements that make them more enticing. Being aware of these traits can help players better understand and enjoy their time playing slot games while also fostering responsible gaming habits in the process.
