Slots are one of the most popular casino games, offering instant gratification, the chance to win big and the possibility that winnings can change your life. However, it is important to remember that slots are a game of chance and that gambling is not without risk.
In order to investigate the relationship between in-game reward reactivity and positive affect, we measured players’ reactivity to rewards on three different slot machines using two different measures of reward processing. First, we recorded players’ response to rewards by observing the time-to-reward interval. Secondly, we measured a player’s retrospective ratings of their own positive affect during the slot machine session. We found that the greater a gambler’s in-game reward reactivity, the more positively they rated their experience. The two measurements were also correlated.
Modern slot machines may look mechanical, but they are actually powered by computers. They work on a simple principle: a random number generator determines the outcome of each spin. The computer then uses step motors to rotate the reels and stop them at a predetermined point. The steps are controlled by short digital pulses that are created by the computer, rather than the fluctuating electrical current that drives a regular electric motor.
A random number generator is what makes slot games fair and unpredictable, but it’s not the only thing that distinguishes them from other types of casino games. The house edge, which gives casinos a small advantage over the player, is also key.