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01-06-2017 | Original Paper

Realistic Free-Spins Features Increase Preference for Slot Machines

Authors: Lorance F. Taylor, Anne C. Macaskill, Maree J. Hunt

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Despite increasing research into how the structural characteristics of slot machines influence gambling behaviour there have been no experimental investigations into the effect of free-spins bonus features—a structural characteristic that is commonly central to the design of slot machines. This series of three experiments investigated the free-spins feature using slot machine simulations to determine whether participants allocate more wagers to a machine with free spins, and, which components of free-spins features drive this preference. In each experiment, participants were exposed to two computer-simulated slot machines—one with a free-spins feature or similar bonus feature and one without. Participants then completed a testing phase where they could freely switch between the two machines. In Experiment 1, participants did not prefer the machine with a simple free-spins feature. In Experiment 2 the free-spins feature incorporated additional elements such as sounds, animations, and an increased win frequency; participants preferred to gamble on this machine. The Experiment 3 “bonus feature” machine resembled the free spins machine in Experiment 2 except spins were not free; participants showed a clear preference for this machine also. These findings indicate that (1) free-spins features have a major influence over machine choice and (2) the “freeness” of the free-spins bonus features is not an important driver of preference, contrary to self-report and interview research with gamblers.

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Title: Realistic Free-Spins Features Increase Preference for Slot Machines
Authors: Lorance F. Taylor
Anne C. Macaskill
Maree J. Hunt
Publication date: 01-06-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 2/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9630-x

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Realistic Free-Spins Features Increase Preference for Slot Machines

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