In a slot machine the reels spin and if you hit a winning combination, you get paid. The amount of the payout depends on the combination you hit and can vary from one machine to another. There are different kinds of slots – video, classic and more. Some of them have several paylines and jackpots, while others are more simple.
The popularity of slot machines in the United States was fueled by several factors. First, unlike other gambling attractions such as horse races and lotteries, slot machines are readily available (aside from horse racing). Second, the machines are easy to use – players just push a button to start the action. Third, a player’s monetary gain is accompanied by high-fidelity, attention-grabbing music and animations that make the experience enjoyable for many players (Griffiths & Parke, 2005).
By the 1920s, slot machines were popular throughout much of the country. They became even more popular after World War II as governments were drawn to the potential tax revenues of these machines. During this time, many states legalized the machines for use in private social clubs and the first electronic versions were introduced in the late 1950s.
Slots have long been the dominant source of revenue in casinos, and casino operators work hard to keep their customers happy. One strategy has been to lower the house edge, or the percentage of money that is lost over time. But a new study suggests that this tactic may be costing casinos money.
The research was conducted using a simulator that was housed in an actual slot-machine cabinet with a force transducer fixed underneath the spin buttons. When the spin buttons were depressed to initiate a spin, the signal was recorded by an AD Instruments PowerLabs system and saved in Labchart software. The data were analyzed for the presence of a signal that was associated with a spin and for the magnitude of the change in force when a player won or lost.
Results showed that the increase in hold does not affect the frequency of spins, but it does decrease the average number of minutes spent on the machine. This is a major finding that contradicts the conventional wisdom of many gaming experts, who believe that increased hold should increase game-play duration.
Despite the findings of this research, many slots operators are reluctant to change their traditional operating and marketing tactics. However, these new findings suggest that casinos could generate a significant revenue boost by adopting a more player-centered approach to the design of slot games. This would be difficult, but not impossible. The key would be to create a more engaging game experience that was aligned with the customer’s expectations and preferences. Moreover, the new technology that can accomplish this would be relatively inexpensive compared to the costs of building an entirely new machine.
