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Whether it is a video game, an online store, or a social media app, almost all of these use bonuses to keep people hooked to the screen so they continue to stay engaged. On the contrary, casino apps take these bonuses to another level by offering rewards to keep players involved and invested in the game for longer.
Let’s find out the real science behind casino app addiction.
How Bonuses Are the Beginning of Addiction
When players sign up for any casino app, they are immediately rewarded with certain bonuses and special promo codes, like the trending MrQ promo code, that helps them unlock extra rewards. Such rewards include extra coins, free spins, and free plays, all of which are designed to make the player feel like they are achieving something valuable just by joining the app. These bonuses and rewards lay a strong foundation as they build excitement even before the game starts.
The moment the player actually begins to play the game, bonuses continue to pop up in the form of daily rewards, unexpected random prizes, and even streak bonuses that reward you for playing multiple days in a row. These bonuses and rewards build so much excitement in the player that he/she continues to look forward to such rewards as they become deeply involved with the game.
Although the player has no clue when the next bonus is going to pop up, based on the initial bonuses, their brain continues to trick them into believing that more rewards are coming.
Winning bonuses in the beginning phase make the player believe they are lucky. They remember those initial wins and a few bonuses that were awarded by the preprogrammed system. They continue to play, even if they begin to lose, as the mind and memory are wired to push us to continue spinning the wheel of luck in hopes of winning again.
The Jackpot Chase
Casino apps are well known to use jackpots, which keep the player fully invested in the game and ensure that the excitement level stays high. Certain casino games have jackpots that continue to grow over a period of time, and the prize gets bigger as more people take part in the game. The overall value of the prize increases, adding to the thrill and pushing players to go all-in in an attempt to chase a jackpot.
Although the chances of hitting a jackpot are relatively low, the excitement and thrill are what push players to continue trying their luck. This is where psychology plays its part so well.
Whenever a player thinks they will be able to crack the strategy and win the jackpot, their brain releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical that makes the player feel good about winning. This pushes players to continue playing even if they are losing the game multiple times in a row.
This strategy, mind game, and endless jackpot chase make the players believe that the next spin will be the one they win, which will ultimately change everything.
The Illusion of Progress
Casino and gambling apps are scientifically designed to create a feeling for the players that they are close to winning the game. It doesn’t matter what the game category is – slots, online casinos, random dice, sports betting, poker, blackjack – each one is absolutely addictive and provides you with a near-miss experience. This is what pushes players to bet more.
To explain near-miss in simple words, let’s give you an example of a slot game where you need to match three symbols. Near-miss is when the game is purposely designed to match two symbols, but the third symbol is slightly off, giving you the impression that it was a close call rather than a loss. Psychologically, this pushes our brain to believe it was a small victory. Hence, this creates a false perception that they are close to winning.
This illusion and the gambling system don’t discourage the player; instead, they make the player believe that they are on the edge of attaining something bigger and just a spin away from winning the game and hitting the jackpot, which makes them play the game for longer.
Similarly, casino apps frequently award the player with small wins to ensure the player stays engaged with the game, creating an illusion that the player is winning, although in reality, the total losses are greater than the total wins. The winning value doesn’t matter here; even the smallest win will give the impression that the player is making progress.
The perfect combination of small wins and near misses makes it hard for the invested players to walk away, as every spin and every bet feels like it could be the lucky one.
The Role of Sounds, Lights, and Speed
Casino apps make every win feel like a big deal. Bright lights flash, exciting music plays, and confetti fills the screen, even for a small win. This creates a feeling of success, even if the win is smaller than the amount lost before it.
Games move quickly. There’s barely any time between spins. The faster the game, the less time players have to think about stopping. Every sound and animation is designed to make the experience more exciting. The more exciting it is, the longer people play.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling, online casinos, slot machines, and poker games are all considered recreational activities, but it is important to understand that every entertainment activity needs a balance. Gambling should never affect your life and work in any way. Here, we have listed some practical tips to help you gamble responsibly:
- Set a Budget: Before you begin to play any casino game, determine how much money you can afford to lose. Stick firmly to this limit and avoid overspending to protect your finances.
- Manage Your Time Effectively: Set time limits on your gambling activities and take regular breaks. Balancing gambling with other interests, hobbies, and responsibilities helps make sure it doesn’t consume you.
- Never Chase Losses: Avoid increasing your bets to recoup lost money. Chasing losses usually compounds the problem, leading to significant financial setbacks.
- Understand the Risks: Before placing bets, learn the rules, understand the odds involved, and evaluate the risks related to the games or sports you bet on. Educating yourself means you will be making intelligent and responsible betting choices.
- Recognize Warning Signs and Seek Support: Monitor yourself for signs of problematic gambling, such as emotional distress, strained relationships, financial hardship, or impacts on your work and personal life. If you notice any warning signs, contact professional help and speak openly to someone you trust.
- Treat Gambling as Entertainment: There are moments when the odds are usually against you, so don’t expect to win every time. You should think of gambling as paying for a fun experience, not a way to make money.
Concluding Thoughts
There is science and research behind the gambling industry and casino apps of all categories to ensure the player stays hooked to the game. These games use a combination of bonuses and near-misses to make sure the player keeps on spinning and to show how close they are to hitting the jackpot.
These small hopes, mixed with the bright lights and sounds, keep the whole betting experience exciting for the gamblers, making it hard for them to leave the game, even when the odds are against them.
