Drawing on research conducted in Las Vegas among game developers and gamblers, MIT Professor Natasha Schull provides an in-depth analysis behind the design and technology of electronic gambling machines.
Slot Machines
Why It’s Time to Disrupt the “Business as Usual” Approach to the Government Policy of Predatory Gambling
This MUST-READ report by Charles Livingstone and Richard Woolley provides what may be the best analysis about how almost 100% of the responsibility for problem gambling is placed on the backs of the afflicted citizens. Predatory gambling operators and the government accept virtually no responsibility. The report also shows why it is time to disrupt this “business as usual” approach promoted by those who profit from government-sanctioned predatory gambling.
Risky Business: A Few Provocations on the Regulation of Gambling Machines
Having Multiple Versions of the Same Slot Machine Game May Impact Problem Gambling
In this paper, Harrigan and Dixon examine how the same slot machine games with different payback percentages may affect the player’s behavior. Interestingly, slot machines with higher payback percentages (offering a perceived air of fairness for the player: 98% vs. a lower payback of 85%), were more likely to impose the most risk for ensuing gambling problems. In their findings, they argue for the regulations of lower payback percentages (85%), as the higher ones appear to be far more addictive.
Lessons From Casino Management
The general manager of Henderson, Nevada’s Stetson Saloon and Casino has some advice for player club members: casinos don’t really care how much you win or lose. What matters to them is how long you play the games and how much you are willing to play. They care less about sending free slot play to frequent players (why waste it on people who are coming anyway?) and concentrate more on sending promotions to less frequent players. The manager of this casino also freely admits that, “the longer you play, the more money you are likely to lose.”
State Revenues from Predatory Gambling are Totally Dependent on Problem Gamblers
If anyone doubts how much the government program of predatory gambling depends on victims, this study will provide convincing proof. Nova Scotia provides one of many opportunities to determine how much money comes from problem gamblers. Study results vary widely with location and “mix” of available gambling. This study from the Nova Scotia Department of Health is one of the best on the topic. 5.7% of adults in Nova Scotia are involved in regular continuous play of video lottery gambling. These adults account for approximately 25% of all those who play video lottery terminals (VLTs) each year in the province and contribute approximately 96% of the annual provincial net revenue for video lottery gambling. Problem gamblers are likely to comprise half of the gamblers seated at VLTs at any given time.
How Casinos Get You to Spend the Most Money
How casinos are layed out, from the positioning of the tables, down to the lighting and carpet patterns, is no accident. But nothing is more directly related to end-of-the day profits than the strategy of the carefully placed slot machine. With slot revenue now accounting for 85% of profits, the slot machines of today are continuous and uninterrupted, allowing for minimal effort on the players part resulting in maximum financial loss.
2014 Slot-machine science How casinos get you to spend more money
Gambling machines research hijacked by gambling interests
Gambling Watch UK confirmed that recent research, focusing on problem play and problem players rather than on problem products, was conducted by companies having a history of contracts with the gambling industry. Research conclusions were purposely complicated and muddled, resulting in lack of any corrective action and sustaining the status quo.
Music and sound effects contribute to why you keep losing at slot machines
A research team at the University of Waterloo has done extensive studies of the psychology of gambling including the manipulation of music and sound effects to create the sensation that a user won even though they actually lost their money on the spin.
Embezzlement is on the rise as problem gambling grows
As this article by the Observer-Reporter explains, many white-collar workers with access to tens of thousands of dollars of company funds embezzle this money to fund their gambling addictions. It’s a growing problem in Pennsylvania, and shows how problem gambling drives some to break the law to fuel their addiction.
The rise of penny slots
The name “penny slot” implies that these machines are essentially harmless- after all, what use is there for one penny? However, these machines, which are rapidly growing in popularity, garner huge profits for casinos at the expense of players. These machines attract mainly lower-income players, lured by the idea that one penny can net them some extra cash. Most “penny slots” actually require you pay more than 1 cent per play, with some requiring 25 or 50 cents, and others requiring bets of over $1. Players put more than $500 million into penny slots in January alone, and given the high profits they give to casino owners, casinos are starting to install more and more of them. This article, from the Press of Atlantic City shows how one penny can cost gamblers a lot more than you might think.