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A slot machine is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed. When people win a bet on a slot machine, the machine rewards him/her with a celebratory noise. And if the people lose the bet, there’s usually not a noise. However, a new study has found that sound of slot machines can trick human’s brain.

Slot machines are also known as one-armed bandits because they were originally operated by a lever on the side of the machine (the arm) instead of a button on the front panel, and because of their ability to leave the gamer penniless (bandit). These machines include a currency detector that validates the coin or money inserted to play. The machine pays off based on patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. In short, slot machines are the most popular gambling method in casinos.

But the bitter truth is modern computer technology has resulted in many variations on the slot machine concept. Modern slot machines let people bet on multiple lines, meaning they can still lose, even when they win. Some researchers from the University of Waterloo have found that slot machine sounds have tremendous impact upon human brain. To examine how that sound affects gambling habits, researchers took a group of 96 people and told them to play on two different kinds of slot machines: one machine that plays music for both wins and fake wins, while the other machine only gives visual feedback for wins and fake wins.

Then the researchers measured skin conductance and heart rate responses while the subject was playing the slots. As soon as the subject finishes, all participants were asked which game they preferred and to estimate how many times they got more money back than they wagered. Surprisingly, all the players preferred physical response to the machine with sound. They also told researchers that it was a more enjoyable experience.

Source: PopSci