The online gaming and casino industry has introduced many unique ideas that have revolutionised gambling sites. This industry has brought convenience, leisure, entertainment, and variety, which are the main reasons why it has become so popular over the last few decades.
However, just like any other industry, it has its downsides. One of the most significant disadvantages of online gaming is its adverse psychological effects on players, especially those not paying close attention to their betting activities.
This article discusses why players get addicted to these games, the effects of betting, impulsive decision-making, and much more.
Gameful Design
Have you ever played a game and felt so emotionally connected to it that you could pick it up anytime and have a fun gameplay experience while your friends equally despise it? If yes, then based on a research paper called “Personalizing Persuasive Strategies in Gameful Systems to Gamification User Types,” by Rita Orji, Gustavo F. Tondello and Lennart E. Nacke, it was concluded that each game is carefully designed and personalised among game players to create a type of personalised and persuasive strategy to keep them engaged for longer.
According to the study, there are four different game users, each with specific preferences and motivations. To meet such demands, game designs and gameplay are carefully studied based on rising trends and gaming personalities to incentivise all four strategically.
So, next time you come across a highly popular game. Do look at the specification and consider how your peers might respond differently to it based on their game-user type.
Accidental Losses
Have you ever found yourself saying, “just one more game,” and ended up playing for hours? According to a study in 1997, the “near misses’’ phenomenon is common during gambling and other sorts of games, where the brain perceives nearly winning as actually winning.
This perceiving act increases the likelihood of developing a gambling addiction where players start believing they hit a big jackpot on the next spin and lose more without realisation.
The Illusion of Control
Another factor that could lead to gambling addiction is the illusion of control in gambling. This factor refers to an idea where individuals believe they have control over the odds of winning in a slot. They may feel pressured to follow a trend which can be a powerful motivator for newly-developing gambling addiction.
According to research by Juho Hamari and Jonna Koivisto in 2015, game designs and control give players illusionary control over their spins, in addition to the visionary effects playing another role of stratification. This form of mind control is the key factor that has kept players actively engaged for a long time, despite negative outcomes from their preferred game.
Neuropsychology of Betting
Neuropsychology is a psychology field that focuses on the relationship between the brain and behaviour. This field has also identified several factors that can further explain the relationship between gamblers and gambling.
For example, gambling addiction can link to the “corpus striatum”, a brain region involved in reward processing, pleasure and motivation. These factors play an important role in continuing slot games. That said, physiologically, dopamine, a neurotransmitter, also plays a crucial role in processing the reward and motivation for continuing, especially during high wins. It is also worth knowing that the release of dopamine can also be affected by other factors, such as unpredictable rewards.
Neuropsychology also suggests that gambling problems can be caused by neurological deficits or abnormalities resulting in gambling addiction and impulsive decision-making. These abnormalities can also result in anxiety, depression, and social isolation, further damaging their decision-making ability and control over impulsive thoughts, among other serious issues.
Ways to Prevent and Fight Against Gamble Addiction
Considering the rise of the gaming industry and the psychological factors that can damage the thought process and lives of individuals, it is important to take strict measures while also enjoying the game.
- Establishing a Practical Mindset: Being Mindful while betting allows you to control your brain instead of allowing it to control you. This allows you to be aware of your emotions, thoughts, and surroundings while playing.
- Set a Budget: Instead of taking a large chunk of cash, set a limited budget and allocate specific time for yourself to play. This will allow you to save both time and money.
- Seek Professional Help: There is no shame in asking for professional help, especially if you are dealing with gambling addiction. There are many support groups that you can join where you can meet others dealing with the same issue.
By implementing these strategies, you may combat or prevent yourself from gambling addiction and help someone facing the same issue.
