Using Sound to Unmask Losses Disguised as Wins in Multiline Slot Machines

Abstract

Losses disguised as wins (LDWs) are slot machine outcomes where participants bet on multiple lines and win back less than their wager. Despite losing money, the machine celebrates these outcomes with reinforcing sights and sounds. Here, we sought to show that psychophysically and psychologically, participants treat LDWs as wins, but that we could expose LDWs as losses by using negative sounds as feedback. 157 participants were allocated into one of three conditions: a standard sound condition where LDWs, despite being losses, are paired with winning sights and sounds; a silent condition, where LDWs are paired with silence; and a negative sound condition where LDWs and regular losses are both followed by a negative sound. After viewing a paytable, participants conducted 300 spins on a slot machine simulator while heart rate deceleration (HRD) and skin conductance responses (SCRs) were monitored. Participants were then shown 20 different spin outcomes including LDWs and asked whether they had won or lost on that outcome. Participants then estimated on how many spins (out of 300) they won more than they wagered. SCRs were similar for losses and LDWs (both smaller than actual wins). HRD, however, was steeper for both wins and LDWs, compared to losses. In the standard condition, a majority of participants (mis)categorized LDWs as wins, and significantly overestimated the number of times they actually won. In the negative sound condition, this pattern was reversed; most participants correctly categorized LDWs as losses, and they gave high-fidelity win estimates. We conclude that participants both think and physiologically react to LDWs as though they are wins, a miscategorization that misleads them to think that they are winning more often than they actually are. Sound can be used to effectively prevent this misconception and unmask the disguise of LDWs.

Cognitive neuroscience can support public health approaches to minimise the harm of ‘losses disguised as wins’ in multiline slot machines

“…Research should be designed to directly assess how features may be altered through harm minimisation strategies that can be employed by regulators. For example, simple modifications such as the removal of positive audio feedback following LDWs have already shown early promise in behavioural studies (Dixon et al ., ). If implemented, regulation offers the opportunity for natural experiments that may provide more conclusive tests of whether features such as LDWs contribute to the prevalence of gambling harm in the community.…”

“…The impact of correct categorisation on physiological measures of arousal, reward‐processing, and error monitoring following LDWs may also help to determine whether miscategorisation explains the LDW effect as suggested by Dixon et al . (), or whether these events have reinforcing effects above and beyond the cognitive error.…”

Dual effects of ‘losses disguised as wins’ and near-misses in a slot machine game

“…Removal of sounds from a slot machine game has been shown to decrease enjoyment, and the excitement of slot machine play (Dixon et al, 2015;Loba, Stewart, Klein, & Blackburn, 2001). While LDWs increase post-reinforcement pauses , near-misses do not (Dixon et al, 2013b).…”

Children’s attitudes towards Electronic Gambling Machines: an exploratory qualitative study of children who attend community clubs

“…Some regulatory considerations associated with auditory stimuli could include reducing the volume of sounds on EGMs, making them 'sound free' or ensuring that they play negative sounds when people lose on a spin. Losing sounds may also have a benefit for adults by making it clearer to determine losses which are arguably disguised as wins [48]. Other regulatory considerations could include ensuring that EGM rooms are located away from dining areas or venue entrances.…”