The Psychology Behind Slot Machine Design: Why We Keep Spinning the Reels

Casinos have embraced psychology to help them better understand the behavior of gamblers. This enables them to create games that the gamblers enjoy while also ensuring they feel the desire to continue playing. The design of the slot machine is one such area where the owners of punting houses used psychology to get return customers. When you play online slots on platforms such as vulkanvegas you tend to continue playing even though you may lose several rounds in a row.

The Science Behind Slot Machines

These games are designed to give the players a sense of control and reassurance that the next spin will result in a big win. Despite the fact that they are mainly a game of chance, the players tend to think that there is a level of intelligence needed to win big. Thus they continue playing hoping that the next spin will change their fortunes. The reasons for this include:

Pleasure Principle

When playing this game, all you have to do is either press a button on your device if you are playing virtually or pull the lever if you are playing in a physical casino. It takes no prior knowledge or experience to enable one to play. It is also coupled with a lot of sounds and twinkling lights that cause excitement in the player. All these lead to increased pleasure as the anticipation builds that all the symbols will align and you will win. This simplicity excites the punter making them bet repeatedly.

Classical Conditioning

This is a psychological tactic whereby two stimuli are used at the same time to influence human behavior. In the case of slots, the use of flashy lights and the sounds that come when you win makes you want to go on playing. This is because you are always excited that the next sound will signal a win so you repeat spinning hoping for it. The punting houses thus use reinforced conditioning whereby they give you small wins every now and then as well as giving you bonuses among other gifts to have you anticipating that winning sound.

Uncertainty

These games are unpredictable and the wagers always hope that the next spin will be the big one. It is designed to keep you thinking that you need just one more spin to change your life. The fact that you may have won in the past only fuels your belief that you cannot be sure what the next round will bring. Thus you never want to step away for fear that the next round will be the lucky round.

Interactional Play

When you visit a physical punting house, you will find many slot machines arranged next to each other. This allows the users to sit side by side and enjoy their games. At the same time, it plays on their mind as there is an element of community created as they talk among themselves. Thus you encourage each other and cheer on as your neighbors win. This allows you to go on wagering and pushing each other along.

Feel Good Hormone

Whenever you play slots, the brain automatically releases dopamine which causes excitement in you. This is not just your normal feeling of being giddy, it is an overwhelming experience coupled with various sounds and visuals that overwhelm you. It causes you to want more of that rush. Unfortunately for some people, it becomes like a high that they keep chasing hence turning to an addiction. This is because once you experience a win and get that high, it becomes a routine for you to spin and experience another rush. Therefore even though you are winning very little, the machine will make it appear like a big win is just around the corner.

Use of Themes

These machines come with display images that a player must match in order to win. The images used vary depending on the type of theme employed. There are various themes used by casinos including:

• Sports: these play on the user’s love for sports by having sports features as the symbols. Some even allow the wagerers to select what color to use thus customizing their experience.
• Mythological: these go for mythical creatures that make the players feel like they are in another world. This adds excitement to the spins
• Music: it brings together the love you have for a certain music type or musician and the thrill of potentially winning big. You continue playing as you hope to match the symbols
• Asian: the symbols of a foreign culture entice the players into thinking they are having a new experience. Hence they become more excited to see what appears next whenever they play.

Punting houses have over the years learned how to trick and entice their target audience. Whether through the use of sound, image, or even the atmosphere created, more people are attracted to slots and continue wagering.