Problem gambling is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem around the world. Some players who leave the house or log on to a gambling site in search of a stress-free gaming experience often find themselves unable to know when to stop, and researchers have set out to solve this problem.
Many studies have been conducted to find out exactly what causes compulsive gambling behaviour, and recent research finds that a game’s sound could have a significant impact.
A study led by Professor Paul Delfabbro at Adelaide University in South Australia has found that the sounds made by slot machines have the potential to encourage players to gamble. This is due to their pitch, which makes players thinks that they are having a positive experience, whether they are winning or not.
Turn Down the Volume
When you enter a casino, the first (and only) thing you hear is the sound of hundreds of slot machines ringing and beeping. The volume on each machine is quite loud, and slot machine manufacturers have done this for a reason. They want to immerse players in the gaming experience, and surrounding them with sound effects is an effective way of doing so.
There are even some games that are categorized as ‘sensory immersion’, which employ surround sound technology. Researchers suggest turning down the volume of these games to help players make more responsible gambling decisions.
If they are not being distracted by bright colours and loud sounds, they can be more logical about their finances.
Turn Down the Pitch
If you’re not a musical person, the term ‘pitch’ refers to the degree of highness or lowness of a tone – whereas volume refers to how loud or quiet a tone is. Researchers suggest turning down the pitch of slot machine sounds, as they tend to keep players excite. While this is the goal of slots games, high-pitched noises can causes players to be more excited than the particular activity warrants, spending more money needlessly.
The research team also believes that it would be effect to introduce low-pitched noises to slot machines. These noises would play whenever the player experiences a loss, so they are not filled with false hope due to high-pitched sounds. This would also lead players to make more informed decisions.
Can Slot Machine Sounds ‘Trigger’ Compulsive Behaviour?
The short answer is: yes. In the same way that the smell of any particular substance can trigger a drug addict, high-pitched sounds associated with slot machines can influence a problem gambler.
So, if an individual hears these sounds outside of a casino (in a movie, for example), they are so distinctive that they could inspire a compulsive gambler’s urge to spend money.
There are still relatively few studies on the topic of slot machine design and sounds, but the topic has garnered a great deal of interest. We will likely be reading many more research reports on how casino game sounds affect problem gamblers.
