For example, unbalanced reels with more jackpot symbols on some reels than others. Secondly, the machines are generally altered to play in favour of the operators. So by a careful preconditioned design we are lured to the slot machine and then should not be surprised that we lose as the machine is the farthest from a “game of chance” as possible. Therefore, the odds of winning on a slot machine are programmed to be extremely low. However, due to the guaranteed high jackpot, slot machines are designed and programmed to pay out much less often to cover the high prize on offer. Add these to what we perceive as a relatively small initial stake and you have the perfect recipe to encourage play. Slot machines encourage players with the flashing light display, arcade sounds and the chance of a big jackpot all these can have a psychological effect on the player.

Many gambling addicts are addicted to slot machines – or at least for many that is their first experience of gambling.