Probably, everyone has gambled at least once in their lives. This type of entertainment has a centuries-old history and interest in it does not wane. Casino games are the most well-known games of chance. Poker, roulette, blackjack, slot machines, all of this is attracting a lot of interest from gambling fans.
The advent of online gambling halls triggered a real boom in the gambling industry. Nowadays, there are numerous online gaming clubs, but you should only opt for reputable portals such as GGBET casino. It’s a secure gaming platform that offers a huge catalog of licensed games, great bonuses, and only supports reliable payment methods.
When players choose the best online casinos, they can be sure of the best gaming experience. For many gamers, however, the focus is not only on a great experience. It has to do with mental and psychological aspects. Thoughts and actions of gamblers are subject to a complex psychological mechanism. Every player has his own motivation and goals.
Player Motivation: Why People Play
One of the research topics of many psychologists is the motivation of people who like to gamble. Nowadays, there are many articles on the subject, but not a single correct theory has been put forward yet. Researchers classify motivations in different ways. From the motivations of players available today, the following main factors can be identified:
Entertainment: Gambling is considered a form of entertainment that brings positive emotions, relaxation, and stress relief;
Escape from reality: Gambling is a great way to rethink, to “escape” stressful situations, so to speak. This is especially true for residents of megacities;
The desire to gain authority: Some believe that this motivation only works for players in land-based arcades. However, many online players also have this motivation and realize it by participating in online tournaments. Success in online games is a way for a player to prove themselves as a leader;
Desire to earn: Of course, for many players who choose to gamble online, the main motivation is to make money. A huge income and hitting the jackpot is probably the goal of most participants in such entertainment.
These are the most popular ways to motivate players to play online games. However, of course, each person can have a different motivation, such as gaining new experiences or trying out a new way of spending their free time.
Neuropsychological and physiological mechanisms of gambling
The motivations for playing are not always precise. This is because there are a number of internal reasons. These reasons are largely hormonal. The illusion of control, emotions, incentives, all of this is related to neuropsychological factors.
The role of emotions
Emotions play an important role in people’s decision-making during the game. When a person wins a large amount or even a jackpot, it leads to the release of dopamine in the brain. The result is a feeling of satisfaction and excitement. The release of dopamine after reaching a goal increases the motivation to continue playing.
During the game, emotions such as fear and anxiety also arise. Fear can cause players to be cautious and risk-averse. However, there are exceptions to the rules. The fear of losing can motivate players to take greater risks to make up for losses.
There are many players who like risk, uncertainty and tense waiting. This is because such players like it when adrenaline rises. Such sensations can be compared to skydiving. Gradually, the player needs more and more adrenaline. It can be given by the riskiest way of playing or by increasing the stakes.
Another hormone involved in the motivation of gamblers is oxytocin. The principle of action of this hormone is related to the direct satisfaction of the game environment. For example, if a player participates in a live game online, they will have a pleasant conversation with a live dealer and like that atmosphere. In this case, oxytocin is released, which helps to get used to such a pastime.
Cognitive bias
Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts that the brain uses to make effective decisions. A common bias is player error. Players often have too much confidence in their ability to predict the future.
Very often, for example, players will notice a fishing rod on the game reels five times in a row and then assume that a fish will definitely appear on the next spin of the reels. However, this assumption is wrong, because in gambling, the outcome of the following rounds does not depend on the outcome of the previous rounds.
The psychology of online gamblers is a complex field that requires extensive research. Both internal and external factors play an important role in the perception of gambling. Pleasure, adrenaline, relaxation are just some of the emotional states present during the gaming process. In this case, the main thing is not to become addicted to gambling. Every player must remember to gamble responsibly and learn to control neuropsychological stimuli.
