Slot Machines and Gambling Problems

A slit or narrow opening, especially one for receiving something, as a coin or a letter. Also, a position in a series or sequence, as an open time slot on a calendar or the unmarked area in front of the goal between the face-off circles on an ice hockey rink.

Unlike other gambling games that use spinning reels to determine winning combinations, slot machines use a random number generator (RNG) to produce results. The player inserts cash or, in some “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into the slot and presses a lever or button (either physical or virtual) to activate the machine. The RNG then selects symbols from a pre-determined set, and if the selected symbols match those on a pay table, the player earns credits according to that table. Symbols vary by game and can include classic objects such as fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens. Most slot games have a theme that carries through in the design of the machine and its symbols, as well as bonus features and other gameplay elements.

The popularity of slot machines may be linked to the fact that they offer instant gratification. Players do not have to wait long for a payout, and winnings are often accompanied by high-fidelity attention-grabbing music and amusing animations. Additionally, the arousal from winning money can distract people from painful emotional experiences such as relationship failures or unemployment (Abbot & Volberg, 1996; Getty, Watson, & Frisch, 2000). However, these arousal effects may be short-lived and exacerbate gambling problems if the underlying causes are not addressed.