Slot machines are one of the most popular in the gambling world and potentially one of the most harmful. While more attention is focused on the gambling problem of individual players, it is important to look at how games themselves affect gambling problems. The fast pace of the game and characteristics that promote false beliefs affect most slot machine problems. It can be helpful for those playing on slot machines to become aware of the properties that make users playing them riskier.

Problematic features of slots

Chances of winning

The odds of winning a slot machine are usually not very big. Casinos have an income because they retain a percentage of the profit from the money they bet. The percentage of money not retained passes to players over a long period of time. The payout percentage of slot machines is based on hundreds of thousands or even millions of strokes of the slot machine and does not reflect what can happen on a given day at the casino. The slot machines are profitable because they are programmed to pay only a certain percentage of the money they bet. The machines are also programmed and tested to make sure that they do not lose money over a long period of time. 

Fast pace of the game

Slot machines play at a much faster pace than other games, so players can lose more money much faster. Slot machines offer a continuous form of the game during which players make between 600 and 1200 hits within an hour.

Loaded wheels

Most players are unaware that the slot machine wheels are loaded so that low-paying symbols pop up more often than the symbols of the main prize. The casino cannot use weighted dice or cards, but weighted wheels in slot machines are quite common, which most players are not aware of.

Unbalanced wheels

Unbalanced wheels are those in which the main winning symbols are not installed as often as on other wheels. This means that the player will see two main win symbols more often than three at the same time. It causes a feeling of close winning.

When players look at the spinning wheels they have the impression that the symbols have the same chance to appear simultaneously, but it’s just an illusion. Players have no way of discovering that the jackpot symbols are missing and can be persuaded that they have a better chance of winning than they actually are.

False winnings

A false win occurs when the sum that the player wins in one hit is less than the sum wagered. The slot machine happily announces it as a win despite the fact that the player lost money on the move. Players may get the impression that they are winning, while they are actually losing.

Close wins

A close win occurs when the main win symbol appears directly above or below the pay line, giving the impression that it is only one place from the win. Players may get the impression that they almost won, but in reality, they lost. The symbols appearing above or below the pay line have nothing to do with how the player was close to the main win. Research has shown that close wins motivate players to continue playing because they feel they are “close” to winning. 

Stop button

The stop button can give the player the illusion of control, but this does not affect the result of the game. In fact, when the wheels start spinning, the result is already decided, the game is over. The score was determined when the player presses the wheel stop button, the wheels continue to spin for five to six seconds before the result is shown to the player.

Loans and currency

When a person puts money into the machine, the money is converted into loans. Focusing on credit means that players pay less attention to the amount of money they spend in the game. This can lead to players spending too much money.

Small wins

When playing a slot machine, a player can often have small winnings. These small winnings will not make up for the sum of money spent on the game, and the money won is used again for the game. As a result, the player can start playing with a sum of $ 100 but can bet much more after some time, because small winnings are added to the $ 100 starting sum. Just like false wins, small wins give the player a sense of greater success in the game. This can lead to a player’s false belief that continuing to play leads to more win, while it actually leads to more losses. Players are willing to quit the game when they have a big win and continue playing when they get a small win.

Encourage maximum rates

You can bet even $3.00 on one spin in a “one cent” slot machine. This is because, in multi-line games, players can choose to play with multiple credits on multiple lines. Often slot machines themselves will encourage players to play on the maximum number of lines.

Slot machines are generators of huge revenues, and many of their features are designed to keep the player in the game, which maximizes the income of the machine’s owner. Some slots features can lead players to believe that they have a better chance of winning than they actually are. Players should be aware of those features that are a source of excitement for some and can be deceptive for others.