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Gambling products are often complicated, making it hard to understand the risks and chances of winning. Here’s some of the ways gambling products are designed and offered to keep people spending.
Poker machines are designed to keep people gambling with tactics like:
Near misses: These make you feel like you have almost won, even though it doesn’t mean you’re closer to a win.
Losses disguised as wins: Flashing lights and sounds make it seem like you’ve won, even if your winnings are less than you bet, ‘tricking’ your brain into feeling good.
Speed of play: Poker machines play fast, giving you less time to think about your losses or whether to keep playing.
Harm from sports and race betting often comes from:
Inducements: Offers like bonus bets and cashbacks can make you spend more and take more risks.
Complex betting options: Bets that combine likely outcomes with less common ones can confuse you and lead to bigger losses.
Fast access: You can bet online 24/7 on many sports and events around the world.
Normalisation: Betting is often promoted as a social activity, making it seem like a normal part of events like the Melbourne Cup or through apps that encourage ‘betting with mates’.
Casinos are designed to feel exciting, with lights and noises suggesting big wins. However, factors that increase harm include:
Complexity: Many casino table games require quick thinking and decision-making, adding pressure.
Speed of play: Automated versions of table games are fast, giving you less time to think about your choices and spending.
Near misses: In games like blackjack and roulette, near misses make you feel like you are close to winning, even when you’re not.
Whilst bingo is a social game, it now carries more risk because of:
Digitisation: Electronic tablets and online options let people play more games at once than they can with pen and paper.
Jackpots: Bigger, rolling jackpots encourage higher spending with fewer winners.
Proximity to pokies: Bingo often takes place near pokies, increasing the chance of playing more harmful games during breaks.
Keno is a game where players pick numbers to win prizes, and it’s now available online. Keno is designed to:
Be fast: The game moves quickly, giving players little time to decide whether to play again.
Use near misses: Players feel they’re close to winning if they only miss by a few numbers, encouraging them to keep playing.
Be accessible: Keno can be played easily on apps, making it always available on your phone.
Worried you might be gambling too much? It can be easy to gamble and spend more without noticing. If gambling is on your mind more and more these days, check your gambling habits here.
