Visiting popular UK Slot Sites is a fun and exciting way of spending time playing all the fantastic games. The lights, graphics, and sounds all heighten the enjoyment players get out of pulling the lever (or in today’s case, pressing the button). Many people travel to a casino every week to drop their money in a slot machine in the hopes of winning a big payout. The games, even though they are part of a booming industry, should be for entertainment but for many players, slots can become a serious addiction. It is no longer just fun. Playing slot machines becomes an over-powering need to keep playing, no matter how much you win or lose. And with an addiction to slot machines, over time, the player will lose big.
Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction, which also known as compulsive gambling, is a form of impulse-control disorder. Gambling addicts, which includes slot machine addicts, can’t control their impulse to gamble, despite knowing that they are hurting themselves and their loved ones with this problem. It is as serious as an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Compulsive gamblers will continue to gamble whether they are winning or losing, and will generally continue to do so after they are completely and utterly broke. Even when the odds are against them, they will continue to bet. All a gambling addict can think about is gambling. The problem usually starts long before it becomes a serious disorder. Like any addiction, it slowly grows. The addiction will start to disrupt the gambler’s lifestyle until it takes up their whole focus. If a gambler begins to spend less time with friends and family, and more time gambling, then this is a problem.
Having a gambling addiction can be a very scary proposition. Gambling is a disease just like many other addictions and unless you have an extreme amount of self control it can be very difficult to. I also have a slot machine addiction. Gran and Buster have given you good advice. You need to get real-life help. GA is a tremendous source of support. So many of our newer members come here wanting to know how they can overcome their addiction using online resources.
There are two types of compulsive gamblers; the action gambler and the escape gambler. Action gamblers are addicted to the thrill of the risk and the possibility of winning big. They usually gamble with a group of other people because part of the addiction is the ability to beat the house or other gamblers. These type of gamblers usually prefer games such as poker, blackjack, or craps. Escape gamblers do so to escape something in their personal life such as worries, pain, or emotional loss of some kind. Instead of gambling to feel the rush of excitement, escape gamblers gamble to numb themselves from the burdens of life. Escape gamblers prefer isolated games such as bongo, online games, and slots.
Video Slot Machine Addiction
Studies have shown that slot machine addiction is a serious problem within the gambling industry. In Canada, a survey done on casino revenues found that around 60% of slot revenues came from slot addicts. Video slot machines are apparently responsible for roughly two-thirds of gambling addicts in the United States. There are even some areas where slot machine addiction is even more outrageous. In the state of South Dakota, video slot machines are credited with creating around 98% of the state’s gambling addicts. There is a saying about slot machines in the gambling industry. It goes “hook one person, pay for the machine; hook two people, pay for the bar; hook more and it’s all gravy.” What an attitude to have. The problem stems from the fact that slot machines, either online or in a land-based casino, are the easiest and most user-friendly games to play. The average gambler doesn’t need to know any rules. You just sit down, put your money in the machine, the press the button. The slot machine will tell you if you win or not. How much easier can it be?
Signs of Gambling Addiction
Slot Machine Addiction Forum
Gambling addiction is sometimes called the “hidden illness” because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like drug or alcohol addiction. Players with an addiction to slot machines will typically deny or minimize their problem. Slot machine addicts will also go to great lengths to hide their gambling. This includes lying, sneaking around, and avoiding friends and family. Some signs that a person may be suffering from slot machine addiction are:
- Neglect work or family to gamble
- Play slots in secret
- Lie about how much you gamble
- Feel compelled to try just one more spin
- Feel remorse after gambling
- Gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar
- Gamble with money you need to pay bills
- Steal, borrow, or sell things to get money for gambling
- Dream of making a big win
- Play slots to escape worries
- Play slots in the hope of solving financial problems
- New desire to control household finances
- Unexplained loans or cash advances
- Lack of money, despite the same income and expenses
- Unusual increase in credit card activity
- Asking friends and family for money
- Missing jewelry, cash, or valuables
- Dwindling savings or assets
- Missing bank or credit card statements
- Unexplained cash, especially when there are unpaid bills
- Secrecy over finances
Treatment of Slot Machine Addiction
Years ago, someone with a gambling problem could just avoid the places where there were slot machines. They might have to rely on friends and family to help them do this. It was an easier solution because the only places with slot machines were casinos within certain states. Unfortunately, things are a lot harder now. There are more states within the U.S. that have casinos thanks to Indian reservations and there is also the immediate lure of the internet which can be accessed from just about anywhere in the world. Luckily, there are treatments for gambling addiction.
The first form of treatment for a gambling with a slot machine addiction is that they must admit they have a problem. No treatment is going to help a gambling addict who won’t help themselves. They must first recognize the problem in order to treat it.
Once a gambler has admitted their problem, the next step is to come clean with their family and friends (if those people are still unaware) and then seek help with an addiction specialist. Trying to overcome any form of addiction is never easy. In fact, it may be the hardest thing someone could ever do. But recovery is possible if you seek help. One source of help is the National Council on Problem Gambling. They have a confidential hotline that a gambler can call: 1-800-522-4700. (for UK – 0808 8020 133)
There are other forms of therapy and recovery that a gambler addicted to slots and other games may try. There is cognitive therapy which focuses on changing a gamblers behavior patterns, unhealthy habits and beliefs. This form also teaches compulsive gamblers how to fight their gambling urges. Another form of therapy is Gamblers Anonymous. This organization is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous and uses group support to help gamblers recover from their addiction. There are usually groups anywhere there are casinos. A third form of therapy is medication. No, medication will not cure an addiction, but it will help a gambler who suffers from slot machine addiction to cope with related symptoms such as depression or other emotional disorders that fuel the addiction.
In short, slot machine addiction can be crippling and severely disrupt a person’s life but there is help and treatment for those who understand they have a problem.
Whether you choose to play at an online casino or a brick and mortar establishment, slots are by far the most popular of all casino games. Right from the very start when slots were first introduced to casinos, they proved to be instantly popular. Why? Because slots are easy to play and they are easy to understand. While some casino games like roulette or baccarat require learning and practice, slots can be played right away, making them accessible to anyone.
How I Overcame Slot Machine Addiction Training
Technology is also often associated with advancements in gambling. For example, the very first slot machines were extremely simple. They consisted of a wooden box, primitive wooden reels, and real poker cards as symbols. The prizes were very basic, often consisting of a bar of soap, a free beer at the bar, or a pack of gum. Nevertheless, at the time they represented the height of innovation in technology.
Today’s slots are incredibly advanced, featuring everything from bonus rounds and innovative game symbols to touch screen and mobile gaming. One thing is always the common denominator though technology is always driving slots into new realms of excitement and playability.
Online gaming delivers a modern take on the features and how accessible the games are. Not only do online casinos make it fast, simple, and easy to play, but they also attract more land-based gamers by offering higher payout percentages, more game variations, higher progressive jackpots, and gaming features land-based casinos simply can’t keep up with.
Online casinos offer the ultimate in casino gaming convenience, allowing players to access their favorite slots where ever they like. Modern online casinos have become a central hub, offering a range of casino gaming entertainment which is available on multiple platforms, including Instant Play (in-browser) as well as mobile gaming. The best online casinos use the latest security measures to ensure that players always enjoy a rewarding online slots and casino gaming experience.
Let’s have a look at what slots have to offer and why they’ve become so addictive.
It’s All in the Structure
The first and most important fact attributable to modern video slots must be the potential opportunities they provide. Multi payline games offer a much better chance of winning regularly, making it very attractive for good reasons.
If you play at online casinos, you’ll know that games with less than 10 paylines are a lot less common in new releases. In fact, most games are structured with 20 paylines and the new craze is to offer 243 or even 1024 ways to win. Basically, these imply that three or more of the same symbols appearing from left to right is sure to produce a winning combination. Naturally, these benefits are very attractive.
In combination with multiple paylines offering more ways to win, game developers include fantastic bonus features. Older games tend to include a regular wild symbol, a scatter, and sometimes a special feature such as free spins. New games, on the other hand, combine themed bonus features. The wilds don’t just substitute; they shift from one reel to the next, expand, or appear completely at random. When it comes to free spins, new slot games don’t only issue you with a few free spins that you might win from, but these free spins also include levels and special benefits that you can unlock by collecting items, for example. One of the biggest modern-day slot benefits also relates to jackpot winnings, where you have the opportunity to win millions.
So, why are these games addictive?
Well, the answer should be quite clear. Developers of online gaming software find improved ways to deliver advantages that simply make games so much more attractive and exciting. This includes more bonus rounds, with more innovative and rewarding gaming features. For example, newer slots will often feature expanding or sticky wilds, huge bonus multipliers, and exciting additional bonus round games. All of these add up to far more addictive slots gaming, time after time.
Casino games are no longer just about winning; they’ve become an excellent source of entertainment.
Does RNG Determine How Addictive Slots Are?
RNG (Random Number Generator) technology has changed in many ways over the last few decades. These randomizing systems form part of just about all video slots, especially those found at online casinos.
While many may think of an RNG as a way for the casino to keep winning, it’s actually a great system that ensures all the payouts occur at complete random, making it impossible to rig the game in anyone’s favor. This is a benefit for you and the casino. For yours, it ensures the casino cannot rig the results as independent auditors run the games through stringent random tests to ensure fairness via legally required certification. For the casinos, the higher RNG percentage attracts more gamers while also ensuring the game delivers an overall profit.
Well, an RNG system works in a unique way. Sometimes, the return to player rate would be well in your favor, which is when you may receive impressive payouts almost all the time. The period of how long the rate remains in your favor is unknown to everyone, including the casino. Other times it may seem as if you’re spinning away, but only receive a few small wins, barely enough to cover the value of your next spin.
The reason the RNG adds to the addictiveness of a slot is that it challenges you. At times the game would not provide any winnings and suddenly it gives you a massive payout. This becomes a rush, making you feel as if you knew that a win was coming, which is why you keep spinning. RNG is also the system that makes you think “just one more spin” and another after that. While the additional spins are sometimes well worth it, at the end of the day, the RNG system plays a major role, since it adds even more fuel to the reason why these games are addictive.
Are Slots More Addictive at Night?
Since slot games have become a method of relaxation and comfort, studies revealed that most players engage in gaming sessions at night. However, since they are so easily accessible, many tend to enjoy the features and excitement throughout the day, even while at the office.
Since the RNG keeps the rewards random, it’s hard to tell if the game you’re playing will deliver a win at a certain time of day. Therefore, slots have become addictive throughout the day, especially with mobile gaming that allows access anywhere within seconds.
We all know that feeling of walking on the casino floor with a card filled with casino credits. It’s almost as if you need to play the next game you see. The atmosphere on the casino floor is charged with excitement as most players come to play at night after work to unwind and have fun. Well, with online casino games, the same feeling applies, only now you can access them at any time and from anywhere. Therefore, a moment of relaxation or taking a break from work presents an opportunity to “select a game at random.”
When you arrive home in the evening and simply want to relax, you may think that the best way to do it is with a few casino games, especially when you have funds in your casino account. Nowadays, weekends at home hold the chance of winning real money, all while you’re relaxing on the couch with your favorite series playing in the background. Mobile and online gaming provide many new advantages, not only with its technology but with convenience as well.
So, the time of day doesn’t really influence when games are most addictive. Instead, it relates to when you have a free moment and the cash in your casino account is itching to gain some more winnings.
Are Online Casinos More Addictive?
Land-based casinos still possess a few benefits of their own, but when it comes to playing more games, gaining extra rewards, and having access to regular new releases, there’s no match when comparing to online casinos.
Firstly, online casinos have an edge when it comes to operational and overhead costs. Unlike land-based casinos, they require far less staff. They don’t necessitate physical gaming machines and they aren’t limited by floor space. That’s why online casinos can offer a much higher payout percentage and still gain a massive overall profit.
To you, the player, this also comes with many benefits. Not only do you gain the opportunity to access the casino without traveling, you can also play all the same or similar games that you would normally find at a land-based casino. In addition, you will also be able to benefit from being exposed to many other, newer games at a much earlier date. Furthermore, online casino promotions are unique, giving you free cash with most of your deposits, which is once again not something a land-based casino can afford to do.
The list of online benefits can stretch for much longer, but you get the idea. Online casinos have a lot more to offer and remain extremely convenient with everything from quick, easy registration to playing games and making withdrawals. Therefore, they’ve become a lot more accessible which makes them more addictive than land-based casinos, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Instead, it should be considered as a benefit, since online establishments feature many great opportunities to enjoy vast gaming entertainment and winning possibilities.
Our Thoughts
Clearly, slots are addictive by pure design and, whether you prefer to play them online or at your favorite brick and mortar casino, you will be able to find something that is tailor-made for your specific needs.
Slot Machine Addiction Treatment
We’ve looked at the effects of RNG’s, time, layout and structure on the addictiveness of slots, as well as the effects of online casino gaming. However, ultimately it really boils down to you, the player knowing your own particular limits and needs so that you can always enjoy a positive and rewarding slots gaming experience.