Fraud

Slot Machines: Distorted Player Views of Payback Percentages

This paper by Prof. Kevin A. Harrigan at the University of Waterloo presents a sample three-reel three-coin slot machine game with a bonus for three coins, and a true payback percentage of 85.6% when one or two coins are wagered and 92.5% when three coins are wagered. The player sees the winning or losing combination of three symbols on the payline as well as (a) the physical reels as they scroll by and (b) what is just above and just below the payline at the end of play.

Slot Machine Structural Characteristics

CkirbySlot Machines: Distorted Player Views of Payback Percentages
read more

The Design of Slots and the Implications for Problem Gamblers

This research by Prof. Kevin A. Harrigan at the University of Waterloo examines characteristics of Ontario slots and what the implications are for problem gamblers, including analysis of the probability accounting reports (or PAR sheets) to see how the games are designed. One of their key findings include: “Bonus modes are highly salient environments associated with wins that are in the view of the gambler a very good place to be. Because entering these arousing and highly rewarding bonus environments is rare, only those who gamble frequently will become classically conditioned to these environments and experience the combined effects of operant and classical conditioning – a situation that could preferentially target problem gamblers.”

PAR Sheets, Probabilities and Slot Machine Play – Implications for Problem and Non-Problem Gambling

CkirbyThe Design of Slots and the Implications for Problem Gamblers
read more

Natasha Schull writes about the design and technology behind electronic gambling machines in Washington Post

MIT Professor Natasha Schull writes about the design and technology behind electronic gambling machines in this must-read Washington Post essay.

Beware -Machine Zone Ahead

LesNatasha Schull writes about the design and technology behind electronic gambling machines in Washington Post
read more