The effects of alcohol expectancy and intake on slot machine gambling behavior

Abstract

Background and aimsAlthough alcohol intake and gambling often co-occur in related venues, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of alcohol expectancy and intake on gambling behavior. We therefore conducted an experimental investigation of the effects of alcohol expectancy and intake on slot machine gambling behavior.Methods Participants were 184 (females = 94) individuals [age range: 18–40 (mean = 21.9) years] randomized to four independent conditions differing in information/expectancy about beverage (told they received either alcohol or placebo) and beverage intake [actually ingesting low (target blood alcohol concentration [BAC] < 0.40 mg/L) vs. moderate (target BAC > 0.40 mg/L; ≈0.80 mg/L) amounts of alcohol]. All participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing demographic variables, subjective intoxication, alcohol effects (stimulant and sedative), and gambling factors (behavior and problems, evaluation, and beliefs). Participants also gambled on a simulated slot machine.ResultsA significant main effect of beverage intake on subjective intoxication and alcohol effects was detected as expected. No significant main or interaction effects were detected for number of gambling sessions, bet size and variation, remaining credits at termination, reaction time, and game evaluation.ConclusionAlcohol expectancy and intake do not affect gambling persistence, dissipation of funds, reaction time, or gambling enjoyment.

The influence of groups and alcohol consumption on individual risk-taking

“…Unlike drink-driving, risk-taking in gambling appears most commonly associated with financial and social, as opposed to, physical harms (Clark, 2015). Nevertheless, gambling is a behaviour that is frequently linked with alcohol consumption (Ellery & Stewart, 2014), an occurrence which is seemingly exploited via the strategic placement of slot machines in public houses, and alcohol availability in casinos (Sagoe et al, 2017). It is perhaps for similar reasons that gambling tasks are one of the more widely used measures to assess alcohol-related risk-taking behaviour, as probabilities are easily manipulated and the level of risk quantitatively assessed.…”

Role Reversal: The Influence of Slot Machine Gambling on Subsequent Alcohol Consumption

“…Experimental studies measuring effects of alcohol administration on laboratory gambling have found increases in risky and/or persistent gambling (e.g. Ellery and Stewart, 2014;Cronce and Corbin, 2010;Phillips and Ogeil, 2010;Ellery et al, 2005;Phillips and Ogeil, 2007), albeit with some exceptions (Breslin et al 1999;Sagoe et al 2017). There is some evidence that the effects of alcohol may be enhanced in people with gambling problems Ellery and Stewart 2014).…”

The effects of alcohol on sequential decision-making biases during gambling

“…All participants were informed that they would receive either a low or high dose of alcohol (Hull and Bond 1986). We hoped that this approach would create an alcohol expectancy in both conditions; we note that more complex experimental designs are needed to evaluate the psychological effects of expectancy, which could also influence gambling behaviour (Breslin et al 1999;Sagoe et al 2017). To maintain blinding, a research nurse prepared all beverages, and the breathalyser display was masked, with the result stored in the device's memory for coding after the session.…”

“…In some studies, a moderately intoxicating dose of alcohol increased the speed and duration of play (Ellery et al 2005;Phillips and Ogeil 2007), increased risky wagering (Ellery et al 2005; Cronce and Corbin 2010;Ellery and Stewart 2014), and resulted in a more rapid depletion of available funds (Ellery et al 2005;Phillips and Ogeil 2007;Cronce and Corbin 2010). However, there have also been conflicting reports (Breslin et al 1999;Barrett et al 2015; Corbin and Cronce 2017;Sagoe et al 2017;Wagner et al 2018). For example, in a study by Barrett et al (2015), regular gamblers played an authentic EGM under four conditions, testing alcohol administration and nicotine stimulation in a 2 x 2 design.…”