For decades, brick-and-mortar casinos have been keeping players happy and engaged with flashy lights, free-flowing drinks, and dizzying sounds. Now, online casino sites are using similar techniques to keep players spending for hours on end. Our industry experts have looked into some of the most well-known tactics, how they work, and how you can avoid spending more than you planned for.
Why That Casino Jingle Sticks in Your Head (and Your Wallet)
If you’ve ever stepped foot in a land-based casino, you’ll already be familiar with the echoes of plinking coins, fast-spinning reels, and alarm bells announcing a winning round. Even players who avoid slots are likely familiar with these iconic casino sounds. However, what you might not be so familiar with, is the fact that these jingles may encourage riskier decisions in players (even more so than favourable odds!).
Although real money online slots don’t feature actual levers or real reels, developers have cleverly added these classic sounds to the games. When it comes to announcing a win, online operators have ensured that players will be greeted with loud, celebratory music – no matter if you win a few dollars or a couple of thousands.
Casino sites use this concept to their advantage. They employ sound design to immerse you and keep you focused on the reels you’re spinning, waiting with great excitement for your next win. In this state, it’s easy to overspend (in terms of both money and time). Setting a timer, either through the casino or on a secondary device like your phone, can help to cut through the “noise” and keep you in control of your budget and your time.
Flashing Lights, Bright Colours & All That Glitters
Visual design plays just as big a role in keeping players engaged. Popular sites wield flashing lights and eye-catching colours to enthral players. Illumination, even in artificial lighting, can affect your mood and behaviour.
You’ll notice that online card games use vibrant colours and animations during gameplay, live dealers are always dressed to the nines and slots feature familiar flashing imagery. This certainly has an uplifting effect, but it can be so enthralling that players find it difficult to look away.
Why We Love Casino Bonuses (and the Thrill They Bring)
How often do you see bonus banners pop up on your screen when you visit an online casino? Similarly, if you share your email address with a casino online, you’ll be the recipient of a number of bonus codes on a weekly, or even daily, basis.
Casino bonuses can offer real value — if you understand the terms and use them wisely. Many bonus offers come with rollover requirements that you’ll need to meet if you wish to withdraw any winnings. This means you have to wager the bonus amount a number of times before you’re eligible to withdraw, and end up spending more than you initially had in mind.
Why a Good-Looking Casino Site Makes You Stay Longer
Modern casino sites have impressive site designs, seamless integration and mobile compatibility to make your experience as smooth as possible. For online casinos, intuitive and eye-catching web design is a key part of player retention. A site’s interface, aesthetics, and navigational elements can go a long way in increasing the time spent on a page (and enjoyment!).
But, this tech is not just there to make your playing experience better. The longer you spend browsing, the more likely you are to select a new title and start playing. That’s why it is so important to set your limits, before you even log on for a session.
The Magic of Fuss-Free Payment
One last thing that definitely gives Canadian online casino sites an advantage over land-based casinos: It’s incredibly easy to switch from a game’s page to the deposit page to replenish your account. On mobile platforms, this process is even more streamlined.
The Flow State and Gambling Responsibly
So, what does all of this ultimately boil down to? There is a concept in psychology known as “flow state”. The idea is that individuals become so absorbed in their current pursuit that they no longer register or recognize unrelated activity. It’s most often used in reference to athletes or artists who are functioning at an optimal level.
However, while flow is often responsible for enhancing the richness of experiences, there is growing concern that so-called “dark flow” could cause players to lose track of time (and budgets!).
While we wait for more research to be conducted into just how much this could affect avid players, the best thing to do is to employ responsible gambling best practices.
- Choose sites that are regulated and provably fair to ensure you are not being duped unnecessarily.
- Set time and wagering limits to avoid over-spending (both in funds and time).
- Schedule regular breaks to ensure that you are managing your engagement and avoiding compulsions.
The House Has Its Tactics — But You’ve Got Yours
At the end of the day, learning about these tactics is really the best way to understand how they can impact your behaviour (and to avoid falling for any unfounded casino myths along the way). After all, managing your time and spending responsibly is the key to having a profitable online gambling career, regardless of the sounds, lights, or flow state that’s involved.
