Losses disguised as wins in modern multi‐line video slot machines

Dixon, Mike J.; Harrigan, Kevin; Sandhu, Rajwant; Collins, Karen; Fugelsang, Jonathan A.

doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03050.x

Cited by 149 publications

(154 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Thus, despite being net losses, and making no difference to the overall rate of payout, the occurrence of LDWs acted to increase the trial-by-trial enjoyment of the game. Previous studies have indicated that LDWs induce elevated skin conductance responses compared to other non-win outcomes, related to the sensory feedback associated with winning (Dixon et al, 2010). Our results extend this work to show elevated valence responses to trials with LDWs, such that the presence of LDWs increases the enjoyment of non-win outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…The LDW response is similar in magnitude to the response to actual wins (Dixon, Harrigan, Sandhu, Collins, & Fugelsang, 2010) and also generates a 'post reinforcement pause', which is seen as a consummatory response to reward . In a notable study, Jensen et al (2013) found that LDWs were verbally miscategorized as wins, and that players' estimates of the number of wins after the game were higher when they were exposed to more LDWs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

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Dual effects of ‘losses disguised as wins’ and near-misses in a slot machine game

Sharman

Aitken

Clark

2015

International Gambling Studies

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Individually, both near-misses and losses disguised as wins (LDWs) have been seen to exert pro-motivational effects on gambling. However, it is not clear whether both structural characteristics are effective within the same game. Participants (n ¼ 40) played a slot machine simulation. The simulation delivered near-misses, wins and 'fullmisses'. Half the participants also received LDWs that occurred independently of the outcomes on the payline. Valence and motivation ratings were collected after each round. Results showed that the LDW group reported increased valence ratings compared to the no-LDW group. Within the LDW group, trials with LDWs also resulted in increased enjoyment compared to trials without LDWs. We distinguished near-misses falling either side of the payline. Near-misses before the payline (NMB) were rated as more motivational than near-misses after the payline (NMA), whereas NMAs were rated as more aversive than NMBs. These differences between the two near-miss types were exacerbated by LDWs. Results demonstrate LDWs increase the trial-by-trial enjoyment of non-win outcomes. The motivational and hedonic effects of near-misses differed for events either side of the payline, and these differences were exaggerated by the presence of LDWs. Thus, near-misses can retain their effectiveness in complex forms of gambling that also deliver LDWs.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Dual effects of ‘losses disguised as wins’ and near-misses in a slot machine game

Sharman

Aitken

Clark

2015

International Gambling Studies

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“…However, in some cases, the size of the win can be less than the spin's wager resulting in a net loss rather than a net win for that spin. This outcome is denoted as 'losses disguised as wins' (LDWs; Dixon, Harrigan, Sandhu, Collins, & Fugelsang, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An empirical real-world study of losses disguised as wins in electronic gaming machines

Leino

Torsheim

Pallesen

et al. 2016

International Gambling Studies

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Losses disguised as wins (LDWs) appear to reinforce gambling persistence. However, little research has examined this phenomenon with real gamblers in natural gambling settings. We aimed to examine the relationship between within-session outcome size and subsequent gambling persistence. Account-based gambling data of individuals playing LDW games over a randomly selected day (2,035,339 bets made by 8636 individuals) was examined. We used a logistic mixed effects model to examine the relationship between the outcome of the previous bet (loss, LDW and real wins) and the odds of continuing betting in a game session. The odds of continuing betting in a game session were positively associated with the outcome of the previous bet. Compared to LDWs, losses lowered the odds of continuing a game session. In contrast, real wins implied greater odds of continuing a game session compared to LDWs. It is concluded that LDWs increase the likelihood of continuing betting compared to losses, but decrease the likelihood of continuing to gamble compared to real wins. As LDWs increase the number of bets made within a gambling session, and hence within-session gambling persistence, LDWs may potentially play an etiological role in the development of gambling problems over time.

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“…Data obtained from the gambling industry for the purposes of this inquiry revealed that 82-85 percent of gamblers bet at or below one dollar per spin, with an average of 64 cents, and that most gamblers selected a minimum bet with maximum lines as found in previous studies (Dixon et al 2010;Livingstone et al 2008;Productivity Commission 2010). Around 37 percent of revenue was derived from bets above one dollar per spin.…”

Section: Reduction Of Maximum Betsmentioning

confidence: 80%

What is the evidence for harm minimisation measures in gambling venues?

2014

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The use of electronic gambling machines (EGMs) in Australia and New Zealand constitutes the largest sector of the gambling industry. The costs arising from the harms of gambling detract significantly from its benefits, and in all Australian jurisdictions various policy measures have been implemented to reduce these harms. If successful, these would maximise the net benefits associated with EGM gambling. This article reviews the available evidence for a range of these practices, particularly those implemented within EGM venues via 'codes of practice'. These codes of practice are intended to give effect to the principles of 'responsible gambling' within EGM venues. These measures are: selfexclusion, signage, messages, interaction with gamblers, the removal of ATMs from gambling venues, and 'responsible gambling' assessed overall in a venue context. In addition, we review the evidence in support of two major recommendations of the Productivity Commission's 2010 report into gambling, pre-commitment and one-dollar maximum wagers. We conclude that there is a modest level of evidence supporting some measures, notably self-exclusion and, to a greater extent, the removal of ATMs. There is also some evidence that 'responsible gambling' measures have, collectively, reduced the harms associated with gambling. However, there is limited evidence to confirm the effectiveness of most individual 'responsible gambling' measures actually implemented in venues. Further, policy measures implemented outside the control of venues (such as ATM removal, reduction in bet limits, and the prohibition of smoking) appear to be associated with more significant effects, based on analysis of EGM revenue data in Victoria. The evidence for prospective measures is necessarily limited since the ultimate test is post-implementation efficacy, but there is growing evidence to suggest that precommitment, one-dollar maximum bets or other machine design changes may yield significantly more effective harm minimisation effects than in-venue practices such as signage or, indeed, self-exclusion. In considering evidence about the effects of existing or prospective measures it is important to emphasise that packages of measures might be more effective than single ones, and that an inability to confirm a statistically significant effect does not mean that no effect exists.

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Losses disguised as wins in modern multi‐line video slot machines

Cited by 149 publications

References 10 publications

Dual effects of ‘losses disguised as wins’ and near-misses in a slot machine game

Dual effects of ‘losses disguised as wins’ and near-misses in a slot machine game

An empirical real-world study of losses disguised as wins in electronic gaming machines

What is the evidence for harm minimisation measures in gambling venues?

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