Bells and Whistles: Effects of Sensory Feedback on Slot Machine Gambling Experience and Behavior

Session Title

Gambling Psychology: Cognition & Sensation

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Start Date

26-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

A prominent characteristic of electronic gambling machines are salient audiovisual features ('bells and whistles'), especially those that accompany winning outcomes. Prior laboratory work suggests that this design feature may influence gambling experience, increase arousal, and promote riskier decision making. However, whether these findings generalize to realistic gambling products has remained unclear. My presentation will report on a series of experiments conducted in the laboratory and online that evaluate effects of sensory feedback intensity manipulations (typical versus diminished sensory feedback) using a highly realistic slot machine simulator. These experiments test the effects sensory feedback on several aspects of gambling experience and behavior: game immersion and affective experience, bet sizes, speed of gambling, outcome processing, and gambling persistence. They also address possible interactions between sensory feedback and personal characteristics, including problem gambling status. Collectively, the findings suggest that sensory feedback promotes game immersion and increases speed of play, which could lead to greater losses being incurred over time. Both effects raise concerns about harm potential of these sensory features in gambling products.

Author Bios

Mariya V. Cherkasova is an Assistant Professor of behavioral neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at West Virginia University, where she directs the Brain Behavior and Addiction lab. Her research focuses on addiction neuroscience and addresses psychological and neural underpinnings of addictive behaviors and disorders, including gambling and disordered gambling.

Share

COinS
 
May 26th, 12:00 AM

Bells and Whistles: Effects of Sensory Feedback on Slot Machine Gambling Experience and Behavior

A prominent characteristic of electronic gambling machines are salient audiovisual features ('bells and whistles'), especially those that accompany winning outcomes. Prior laboratory work suggests that this design feature may influence gambling experience, increase arousal, and promote riskier decision making. However, whether these findings generalize to realistic gambling products has remained unclear. My presentation will report on a series of experiments conducted in the laboratory and online that evaluate effects of sensory feedback intensity manipulations (typical versus diminished sensory feedback) using a highly realistic slot machine simulator. These experiments test the effects sensory feedback on several aspects of gambling experience and behavior: game immersion and affective experience, bet sizes, speed of gambling, outcome processing, and gambling persistence. They also address possible interactions between sensory feedback and personal characteristics, including problem gambling status. Collectively, the findings suggest that sensory feedback promotes game immersion and increases speed of play, which could lead to greater losses being incurred over time. Both effects raise concerns about harm potential of these sensory features in gambling products.