Sponsored: Do Slot Machines Lull Gamblers into a Trance?

Playing slot machines is the most common form of gambling in the world. There are millions of active slot players that either play in one of the many online casinos or in brick and mortar establishments.

Slot machines can of course be played in casinos around the world, but they’re available in many more establishments too, including pubs, restaurants and airports. Billions are wagered annually on slot machines.

However, a recent research study by the Centre for Gambling Research at the University of British Columbia (UBC) has shown that experienced slot machine players fall into a ‘slot machine zone’ or lull.

How the Study was Performed

Researchers recruited two groups – experienced slot players and UBC undergraduates. Both groups were required to play on a slot machine for 30 minutes in the UBC Casino lab on campus.

However, the slot machine was slightly modified. Panels were mounted to the slot machine on each side and these panels displayed moving shapes. Players were asked to push a button every time they noticed one of the white circles turning into a red square. Players also had their heart rates monitored during the 30-minute slot session.

At the end of the session, players were asked whether they lost track of time or not.

The study showed that the experienced group of slot players were more likely to miss a shape change and they were also more likely to report losing track of time. The researchers explained that the results support the hypothesis that being immersed while playing a slot machine results in a player losing focus on the world around them.

There are reasons why the majority of brick and mortar casinos have no windows or clocks. They want players to lose track of time and play games the entire night, but this leads to problem gambling.

You can read the full study and the results at the DailyMail.co.uk.

Tips for Avoiding the ‘Slot Machine Zone’

The #1 tip you should always make sure you follow is to take breaks. Some online casinos will even allow you to set-up a reminder to notify you every time you’ve played for X number of minutes (You can set how many minutes).

If the casino doesn’t have this feature then you should make sure you remind yourself to take a break every hour or so to refocus. See how your session is going, refuel yourself and then continue playing once you’re ready.

One feature every online slot has is the ability to set the machine to spin X amount of times (Often up to 100 spins). This feature should be avoided as it’s a lot easier to lose track of how long you’ve been playing.

Conclusion

Slot machine players are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to gambling than other gamblers. However, if you are careful about setting limits and avoiding extended sessions, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding the slot machine zone. When played in moderation, slots can offer great fun and entertainment.

Online slot developers try to make playing slots as “sticky” as possible to keep players playing. Some online slots today have storylines to follow, which makes them even more interactive, as players want to continue the story.

We regularly plays slots ourselves and enjoy playing them, but we also know the risks and wanted to share those with our readers too. To help limit your risk, ensure you take advantage of the great slot bonuses and promotions available.