How Slot Machine Sounds Trick You into Playing More

The sound of slot machines may contribute to their gambling appeal. When someone playing a slot machine wins, even if it is a percentage of what they have spent, the machine makes a certain noise that indicates the player has won something.



The sound of slot machines may contribute to their gambling appeal.

When someone playing a slot machine wins, even if it is a percentage of what they have spent, the machine makes a certain noise that indicates the player has won something.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo in Canada studied the physiological responses of 96 subjects while they played slot machines.

The subjects played two games on a slot machine simulator -- one that provided music and visual feedback for real and partial wins, and a second that gave visual feedback only.

After they played, the subjects of the study were asked which game they liked best and to estimate of how many times they thought they had won more than they had bet.

Subjects who played the machine that had an auditory response had more of a physical reaction in their body, and said that they enjoyed playing that game more. In both games players over estimated the number of times they won, however it was much higher in the noisy game at 24 percent than the visual only game at 15 percent.