ONLINE GAMBLING AND ADDICTION

     The accessibility of the Internet makes it extremely simple for anyone to start gambling as much and whenever the addict would like. Bets are also smaller so users are more attracted to start playing. Traveling to a real casino isn’t as easy and costs more money; therefore those with higher incomes are more likely to do so. Those with gambling addictions can be drawn to play online because of the huge range of gambling opportunities and ease of connecting quickly shortening the time to start playing.

      If a problem gambler spends two or three days gambling at a casino, someone will likely notice (for example, his friends, family, casino staff, etc.). In contrast, online gamblers can play at work, at home, or even on smart phones without anyone being aware that they are actually gambling.

     A very important part of gambling addiction treatment is having a strategy to avoid play. For traditional gambling, this generally means avoiding casinos, VLTs, bars, or other physical locations where gambling is made available. With online gambling avoiding this temptation is much more difficult. Every computer with internet access (whether it is at work, home, or somewhere else) becomes a virtual casino awaiting the next bet.

     With online gambling, access to one's bank account is always only a click away - which makes the likelihood of impulse betting and "chasing losses" much greater compared to locations where one must physically withdraw money from a bank machine (for example).

One of the most common "tricks" used by online casinos is to offer a "free-to-play" version of their games. Of course, the goal is to introduce new players to online gambling and make them feel comfortable placing real bets with real money after they have had some success with the free version. And how do internet gambling websites make sure that new players are successful? Simple, the odds are inflated to favor the player when he/she is gambling with play money. By doing so, the player incorrectly assumes that the success he / she had with the free version will translate into success when using real money. Of course, the odds change in favor of the house as soon as real money is involved.

     On the internet it is sometimes easy to forget that electronic money is still real money (just ask any eBay user about how easy it is to chase a bid well beyond what is a reasonable asking price). Players may be able to use credit cards to deposit money into an online account that they can access as funds inevitably run out.

     Internet gambling websites may use computer programs to represent what one may believe to be real human players. These "poker bots" may be programmed for both optimal play and / or to increase the amount that the human players are actually betting.

Online gamblers may unknowingly be the victims of deceptive opponent practices. For example, one common technique involves collusion between online poker players. That is, several players are actually in the same physical location and are sharing information to give them an advantage over other players.

     Whereas traditional casinos may be able to ban problem gamblers, there is little to prevent a compulsive gambler from accessing online gambling sites at will. Online gambling sites typically do have policies on restricting access (for example to underage players and to those who have voluntarily banned themselves), but their ability to actually enforce this is very debatable. Furthermore, a player banned from one site can simply sign up at another with just a few mouse clicks.

      Online gambling at home provides greater convenience and comfort than playing in a casino, allows bets to be placed without the scrutiny of others, offers a more immerse interface, and allows players to place bets after heavy consumption of drugs or alcohol - all factors which can increase both the duration of time spent gambling and the amount of money wagered.

     Online gambling websites are among the fastest growing and most profitable businesses in existence today.   The keys to the business success of the online gambling model are not difficult to see.

      Compared to traditional land-based casinos, online gambling websites are able to operate at a fraction of the cost, do not require tangible materials or equipment (machines, tables, security cameras, a physical building, etc.), and do not need the hundreds of staff that would normally be required for a traditional casino (e.g., dealers, servers, security guards, floor managers, cleaning staff, bartenders, restaurant staff, etc.).

      Just like in a traditional casino, when it comes to internet gambling, the odds are always in favor of the house (or in this case, the programmers who designed the software). Of course the player has a small chance of making money in short term, but losing is a mathematical certainty over the long term if play continues.

 SOURCE: http://www.techaddiction.ca/online-gambling-addiction.html

 SOURCE: http://www.addictionhelpcenter.com/gambling-and-the-internet/

 SOURCE: http://www.techaddiction.ca/online-gambling-casino.html

HOW THE BRAIN GETS ADDICTED TO GAMBLING

 

In the past, the psychiatric community generally regarded pathological gambling as more of a compulsion than an addiction—a behavior primarily motivated by the need to relieve anxiety rather than a craving for intense pleasure. In the 1980s, while updating the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the American Psychiatric Association (APA) officially classified pathological gambling as an impulse-control disorder—a fuzzy label for a group of somewhat related illnesses that, at the time, included kleptomania, pyromania and trichotillomania (hairpulling). In what has come to be regarded as a landmark decision, the association moved pathological gambling to the addictions chapter in the manual's latest edition, the DSM-5, published this past May. The decision, which followed 15 years of deliberation, reflects a new understanding of the biology underlying addiction and has already changed the way psychiatrists help people who cannot stop gambling.

The APA based its decision on numerous recent studies in psychology, neuroscience and genetics demonstrating that gambling and drug addiction are far more similar than previously realized. Research in the past two decades has dramatically improved neuroscientists' working model of how the brain changes as an addiction develops. In the middle of our cranium, a series of circuits known as the reward system links various scattered brain regions involved in memory, movement, pleasure and motivation. When we engage in an activity that keeps us alive or helps us pass on our genes, neurons in the reward system squirt out a chemical messenger called dopamine, giving us a little wave of satisfaction and encouraging us to make a habit of enjoying hearty meals and romps in the sack. When stimulated by amphetamine, cocaine or other addictive drugs, the reward system disperses up to 10 times more dopamine than usual.

Continuous use of such drugs robs them of their power to induce euphoria. Addictive substances keep the brain so awash in dopamine that it eventually adapts by producing less of the molecule and becoming less responsive to its effects. As a consequence, addicts build up a tolerance to a drug, needing larger and larger amounts to get high. In severe addiction, people also go through withdrawal—they feel physically ill, cannot sleep and shake uncontrollably—if their brain is deprived of a dopamine-stimulating substance for too long. At the same time, neural pathways connecting the reward circuit to the prefrontal cortex weaken. Resting just above and behind the eyes, the prefrontal cortex helps people tame impulses. In other words, the more an addict uses a drug, the harder it becomes to stop.

Research to date shows that pathological gamblers and drug addicts share many of the same genetic predispositions for impulsivity and reward seeking. Just as substance addicts require increasingly strong hits to get high, compulsive gamblers pursue ever riskier ventures. Likewise, both drug addicts and problem gamblers endure symptoms of withdrawal when separated from the chemical or thrill they desire. And a few studies suggest that some people are especially vulnerable to both drug addiction and compulsive gambling because their reward circuitry is inherently underactive—which may partially explain why they seek big thrills in the first place.

Even more compelling, neuroscientists have learned that drugs and gambling alter many of the same brain circuits in similar ways. These insights come from studies of blood flow and electrical activity in people's brains as they complete various tasks on computers that either mimic casino games or test their impulse control. In some experiments, virtual cards selected from different decks earn or lose a player money; other tasks challenge someone to respond quickly to certain images that flash on a screen but not to react to others.

A new understanding of compulsive gambling has also helped scientists redefine addiction itself. Whereas experts used to think of addiction as dependency on a chemical, they now define it as repeatedly pursuing a rewarding experience despite serious repercussions. That experience could be the high of cocaine or heroin or the thrill of doubling one's money at the casino. “The past idea was that you need to ingest a drug that changes neurochemistry in the brain to get addicted, but we now know that just about anything we do alters the brain,” says Timothy Fong, a psychiatrist and addiction expert at the University of California, Los Angeles. “It makes sense that some highly rewarding behaviors, like gambling, can cause dramatic [physical] changes, too.”

SOURCE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF5SzIN63w8

SOURCE:https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-brain-gets-addicted-to-gambling/

WHAT TO DO WHEN MEMBER IN YOUR FAMILY HAVE PROBLEM WITH PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING? 

When there’s a problem or compulsive gambler in the family, more than just the gambler is negatively affected. The entire family suffers as a result of the behavior and thinking of the gambling addict. How each family is impacted depends on the severity of the gambling problem, how long it has gone on, the closeness of the relationship with the gambler and other factors. Serious financial, psychological, emotional, social and legal problems may completely undermine family functioning to the point of collapse.

How to help with a gambling problem Compulsive and problem gamblers often need the support of their family and friends to help them in their struggle to stop gambling. But the decision to quit has to be theirs. As much as you may want to, and as hard as it is seeing the effects, you cannot make someone stop gambling. If your family member has a gambling problem, you may have many conflicting emotions. You may try to cover up for a loved one or spend a lot of time and energy trying to keep him or her from gambling. At the same time, you might be furious at your loved one for gambling again and tired of trying to keep up the charade. The gambler may also have borrowed (or even stolen) money from you with no way to pay it back.

It can be painful and frustrating to see someone you love suffer from a gambling problem. Even worse, you may be suffering the negative impacts of problem gambling even though you don't have the problem. Remember that it's not your fault. You did not create the problem. And unfortunately you cannot make a gambler stop gambling. But you may be able to help your friend or loved one to help themselves.

Tools for family members of problem gamblers

Start by helping yourself. You have a right to protect yourself emotionally and financially. Don’t blame yourself for the gambler’s problems. The right support can help you make positive choices for yourself, and balance encouraging your loved one to get help without losing yourself in the process.

Don’t go it alone. It can feel so overwhelming coping with a loved one’s problem gambling that it may seem easier to rationalize their requests and problems “this one last time”. Or you might feel ashamed, feeling like you are the only one who has problems like this. Reaching out for support will make you realize that many families have struggled with this problem. Or you might consider therapy to help sort out the complicated feelings that arise from coping with a problem gambler.

Learn to say "NO" to the problem gambler. This will force the gambler to face the problem head-on. Try to unify friends and family in saying no as well. Set boundaries in managing money. If a loved one is serious about getting help for problem gambling, it may help if you take over the family finances to make sure the gambler stays accountable and to prevent relapse. However, this does not mean you are responsible for micromanaging the problem gamblers impulses to gamble. Your first responsibilities are to ensure that your own finances and credit are not at risk.

Consider how you will handle requests for money. Problem gamblers often become very good at asking for money, either directly or indirectly. They may use pleading, manipulation or even threats and blaming to get it. It takes time and practice to learn how you will respond to these requests to ensure you are not enabling the problem gambler and keeping your own dignity intact.

Learn as much as you can about problem gambling including its warning signs, negative impacts and options for help and recovery. When confronting someone about problem gambling, stay calm and be supportive. Tell them how their gambling affects you. Recognize their good qualities and any positive steps they have made.

Don’t preach, lecture, or allow yourself to lose control of your anger. Also don’t exclude the gambler from family life and activities.

Don’t expect immediate recovery, or that all problems will be resolved when the gambling stops. Remember that change takes time, effort and often several attempts to be successful. Be sure to identify triggers and help them learn how to deal with urges to gamble.

SOURCE:https://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/behavioral-process-addictions/how-problem-gambling-affects-the-family/

SOURCE:http://www.paproblemgambling.com/get-help

SOURCE:http://www.haveigotaproblem.com/download/331/Helping-a-family-member-with-a-gambling-problem

SOURCE:http://www.masscompulsivegambling.org/get-help/help-for-family-members/

BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS

Just as genetic makeup (biology) and environment vary from person to person, the way they interact creates a unique combination of risk factors for individuals.  Although the genes people inherit are out of their control, it is possible for people to take control of the environment and how they deal with that environment.  Addressing risk factors can reduce chances of developing or worsening substance use, problem gambling and mental health issues.

Biological Risk Factors

People can inherit from their parents’ genes that make them more or less likely to develop substance use, problem gambling or mental health problems.  Although the likelihood of developing one of these problems if one or both parents have the problem is not 100%, people whose parents have substance use, problem gambling or mental health problems may be at greater risk for developing them themselves.  The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (1994) provides information regarding the increased risk for developing the mental health, gambling and substance use problems that will be discussed in this manual.  As can be seen in the table below, there is an increased occurrence of these disorders for individuals who have a firstdegree biological relative (i.e., close relatives like parents and siblings) with the disorder as compared with people in the general population (i.e., who do not have first-degree biological relatives with the disorder). 

was attributable to genes that influence both disorders.  These genetic studies strongly suggest an overlap in the genetically transmitted vulnerability of both substance use and problem gambling disorders.  One example of a biological factor that might contribute to risk for developing a substance use or gambling problem is differences in brain chemistry that make certain people more vulnerable to the effects of gambling, drugs or alcohol.  

Other biologically influenced characteristics such as personality traits, gender, and ethnicity also may affect how susceptible people are to substances of abuse and gambling and how likely they are to become addicted to them.  For example, some personality traits such as antisocial personality and impulsivity are associated with increased risk for gambling, alcohol and drug problems.  Females tend to be affected more by alcohol and/or drugs because of their body size and composition.  In terms of ethnicity, many people of Asian descent tend to have negative reactions to alcohol and, therefore, tend not to drink it as much.  As a result, they have reduced risk for alcohol problems when compared to other ethnic groups.  

Although it is not possible to choose one’s parents and the genes inherited from them, it is important to remember that genes are not everything a person is.  People may inherit a predisposition to thinking, acting, and feeling certain ways, but it is possible that people can change the ways they behave and feel and think.  Additionally, people can exert a great deal  of control over the environments in which they live and work, and, as the next section discusses, the environment can play a large role in how likely people are to develop mental health, problem gambling and substance use issues.

Environmental Risk Factors

Most often environmental risks involve some kind of stressor for the individual.  Stress may include life stressors, the relationships people maintain, and their health.  Stress can influence how likely it is that people will develop problem gambling,  substance use and mental health issues.  Likewise, gambling, substance use and mental health problems can become risk factors for each other.  In other words, using substances can influence gambling and both substance use and gambling can influence mental health.  Likewise, mental health can influence how likely people are to gamble or use substances. 

Stress 

In a more general sense, stress can be the result of trying to deal with negative things in the environment.  When people cannot adapt to stress, they become more prone to developing, or making worse, substance use, gambling or mental health difficulties, particularly if they are also at risk biologically.  Types of stress include the following:

Life stressors:

• Work (loss of employment, problems at work, new job)

• Moving to a new place

• Money (being unable to pay bills or having more money than usual)

• Being a victim of abuse or other  crime

• Housing problems (losing one’s home)

• Legal problems Co-Occurring  Disorders

Relationships:

• Death of a loved one

• Divorce, separation, remarrying

• Parenting (difficulties raising/caring for one’s children or having  unresolved           parent/child issues)

• Frequent arguments among family members and spouse/significant other

• Having few or no friends (lack of social support)

• Having friends who use drugs or alcohol or gamble

• Grief

 Health and Mental Health:

• Illness, injuries, or accidents

• Not getting enough rest or eating well

• Caring for a sick relative or friend

• Not dealing with feelings

• Abusing substances

• Gambling excessively

• Experiencing mental health symptoms

An example of a risk factor leading to mental health difficulties is the death of a spouse causing someone to feel depressed.  It is completely normal to feel depressed from time to time, especially after the loss of a loved one.  However, as will be discussed in upcoming modules, mental health issues that become too severe or last longer than is normal can sometimes become mental health problems that may require treatment.  An example of a risk factor leading to substance abuse or gambling problems is drinking or gambling to avoid dealing with emotional problems such as feelings of depression or drinking or gambling to cope with work stress.   

SOURCE: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/lib/dmhas/pgs/Cooccuringworkbook.pdf

HERC TIME TEAM ON THE WORLD MENTAL HELTH DAY

World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy agaist social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples' life worldwide. 

Herc Time Team

PSYCHOLOGICAL MISCONCEPTIONS IN GAMBLING

Many people gamble without giving it much thought – or do they? Psychology is actually involved from the start (“I feel lucky – maybe I’ll go play”) to finish (“I don’t want to quit when I’m down – maybe I’ll just play a little longer”).

If you plan to gamble, wouldn’t it be a good idea to first really understand how psychology affects everything, from the games you play to how much you bet to how you handle winning and losing?

Here’s a sampling of the concepts we’ll cover:

Optimism in Gambling: Good or Bad?

Some people tend to always see the glass as half full. In most areas of life, optimism is a positive quality, but in gambling, being too optimistic may be risky. Find out why.

Systems in Gambling: Trying to Make Sense of Randomness

The desire to make sense of randomness is natural. Over the years, countless gamblers have tried – without success – to develop systems to help them win. We’ll look at the faulty thinking behind many systems and explore why, with very few possible exceptions, betting systems just don’t work.

20/20 Hindsight in Gambling: Useful or Misleading?

Gambling would be easy if we could make all our bets after we know the results. It’s human nature to try to learn from our past experiences. Find out what you can learn from the past in gambling and what you should ignore.

Near Miss Beliefs: Close Doesn’t Count

Almost winning can sometimes be pretty exciting. Some people mistakenly believe that when you almost win on a machine, it means an actual win is coming soon. Read on to explore how “near misses” can affect how we think about gambling.

Hot and Cold Machines: There’s No Such Thing

A common myth among gamblers involves the idea that “hot” machines pay a lot and “cold” ones barely pay at all. Read on to learn why this just isn’t true – and where the myth comes from.

Selective Attention and Selective Recall: “I Only See What I Want to See”

It’s natural for us to focus on what’s happening right now, especially if it includes winning. Learn how our selective attention and selective memories can sometimes get in the way of seeing what’s really happening in gambling.

Unpredictable Payoffs: Learn How You Might be Affected

The chance to win can be very appealing. Knowing that every play gives you another chance to win can sometimes make it hard to quit. However, almost every form of gambling is based on a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, which means that the payoffs are unpredictable. Read on for a definition of this aspect of gambling and what it means to you.

Entrapment: “I’m Stuck at the Bus Stop”

We’ve all experienced the feeling of waiting for something that just doesn’t seem to be coming, whether it’s a bus, a phone call, or a friend we’re supposed to meet. When do you give up waiting – and what does this have to do with gambling? Read on to find out.

Don’t Get Caught Chasing

“The Chase” may sound exciting, but in gambling it can lead to disaster. Find out how to avoid the temptation to chase your losses.

Illusion of Control

Making bets, pushing buttons, choosing cards – these are all things people do when they gamble. But what do you actually control when you gamble? What do you have no control over whatsoever? Read on to find out.

Magical Thinking

Have you ever wished for something, and then it came true? Do you think your wish actually made it happen, or was it just a nice coincidence? Many gamblers look for magical intervention to bring them fortune and wins in gambling. Read on to explore how magical thinking might influence someone’s gambling and why these kinds of thoughts might be risky for some gamblers.

Superstitions and Rituals

Lucky numbers, rabbits’ feet, four leaf clovers, horseshoes – all are symbols of luck often associated with gambling. Read on to learn more about gambling superstitions and rituals, where they come from and why they can’t help you win.

Gambling and Keeping It Real

Exotic themes with waterfalls, talking statues, gladiators and fantastic prizes for the winning – none of these things would seem out of place in a major casino. Casinos offer a temporary escape from day-to-day routine; but don’t get too caught up in the fantasy. Learn some important tips for keeping your feet firmly grounded in reality.

SOURCE: http://getgamblingfacts.ca/psychology-of-gambling/

                

            10 GREATEST GAMBLING MOVIES

Gambling has always been an interesting subject for a film adaptation. The gambling means not only the act of gambling, sitting at a machine or roulette and investing / acquiring / losing money, but also deceiving, searching for money, constant pressure, conflict and disruption of relations with others, and often, to fraud. All together makes an ideal combination for a great action and drama.

Here are ten movies about gamblers that have received a high aggregate critical rating. Films are listed in order of their critical ranking, from lowest to highest.

10) Hard Eight (1996)

Before striking gold in 1997 with Boogie Nights, cerebral American filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson debuted with Hard Eight, a pared-back drama about a pro gambler past his prime. Just how a first-time director managed to assemble this all-star cast – which includes Samuel L Jackson and the sadly-deceased Philip Seymour Hoffman – is a mystery, but certainly pays dividends. Hard Eight is an indie gem that combines black as the ace of spades humour with a knowing study of high-stakes casino gambling.

9) Owning Mahowny (2003)

This semi-fictional tale of bank manager turned criminal gambler is a glimmering star vehicle for Phillip Seymour Hoffman who owns every moment of Owning Mahowny. The title character’s gradual descent into the dark recesses of addiction stands as a grave warning to us all that never feels preachy or condemnatory. Meanwhile, director Richard Kwietniowski employs sparse direction to downplay any sense of glamour in favour of a very human story of vice overcoming a man’s soul. You won’t leave this movie elated, but it’s sure to stick with you.

8) Croupier (1998)

Poor Clive Owen. Where did it all go wrong? The guy was a national treasure with some awesome roles under his belt, but a few too many dodgy projects have stripped him of his former glory. Still, at least he’ll always have Croupier. Jack Manfred (Owen) is a struggling writer who takes a job as a casino croupier to make ends meet. Subsequently, he’s sucked into a story of dark intrigue involving robbery, murder and deadly double-crossing. Owen oozes cool in the main role and the movie ingeniously uses the blackjack tables as a metaphor for the nature of fate, chance and happenstance in defining his life.

7) The Gambler (1974)

While a bloody good film by any standard, The Gambler is also a major downer, coming at a time when smiles were banned in Hollywood. James Caan stars as Axel Freed, an English professor whose problem gambling rapidly spirals out of control. With $44,000 in debts and a psychopathic bookie breathing down his neck, Freed resorts to desperate measures to try and balance the books.The film was apparently a favourite of Caan’s who commented: "It's not easy to make people care about a guy who steals from his mother to pay gambling debts." Damn right, and you pulled it off, buddy.

6) Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)

Another talented actor who’s wasted the last decade on absolute rubbish, Johnny Depp does a cracking job in this iconic performance as drug-addled journo Raoul Duke. In the film, Duke and his buddy Dr Gonzo embark on a psychedelic voyage to Vegas in search of riches, glamour and the American Dream. Freely adapted by Terry Gilliam from the Hunter S Thompson masterpiece, Fear And Loathing remains a filthy pleasure to behold, portraying Sin City as a surreal dreamscape through the eyes of its whacked out protagonists. If that sounds like your kind of thing, pop a pill and give this one a look. It’s far out, man.

5) The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Not until Casino Royale in 2006 would poker be so engagingly portrayed on film. Norman Jewison’s direction perfectly captures the tense excitement of seeing the pot stack after the flop and of devising the best play while keeping an eye out for tells.Steve McQueen absolutely kills it as poker prodigy Eric ‘The Kid’ Stoner and is at his best during the film’s iconic ‘last hand scene’ (check it out in the vid above). Jewison later dismissed the film as an ‘ugly duckling’ and went on to enjoy greater success with movies such as Fiddler On The Roof, Rollerball and The Hurricane. Nevertheless, this has to be his magnum opus.

4) Rain Man (1988)

As well as being something of a comeback project for Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man is one of the best-loved (and certainly better known) gambling movies ever made. So, why is it way down at number four? Well, there may be better casino flicks out there, but this shouldn’t detract from the brilliance of Rain Man. The film’s conceit of a severely autistic introvert and his preternatural card counting talents has been referenced and parodied so many times, it’s all too easy to forget how great it was the first time around. Do yourself a favour, put down that DVD of The Hangover and get the real McCoy.

3) Casino Royale (2006)

007’s stunning return to form in 2006 is simultaneously the best entry in the entire franchise and one of the finest action movies ever, full stop. However, central to the action of Casino Royale is the utterly awesome high-stakes poker tournament, in which Bond fights to bankrupt terrorist banker Le Chiffre. If you’d bet that it was possible to make 40 minutes of cinematic poker edge-of-your-seat thrilling, I would have taken you at 100/1 odds and called you a chump. Fortunately, nobody did, so I didn’t have to fork over my pension fund. Lucky escape.

2) Rounders (1998)

Rounders is a thing of grim beauty. The narrative is as classic as they come: it’s the Rocky arc, with a plucky upstart forced to bounce back after getting his backside handed to him. However, it’s the performances that make this flick - particularly John Malkovich’s brilliant turn as deranged gangster Teddy KGB.

1) Casino (1995)

This movie would have to make the top three if only for Nicky Santoro.  Even if literally everything else about it was complete crap. Happily, Casino (1995) has a hell of a lot more to it than Joe Pesci’s smart mouth. Martin Scorsese is a pretty safe pair of hands (particularly when Mafioso are involved) and he’s on absolute top form here. Depicting the tense relationship between Las Vegas casinos and their criminal benefactors in the early 1970s, every aspect of this film is brilliantly realised. The casting, direction and script are all perfect – what more is there to say? Go watch it, unless you’re just a “low-life, motherf**ing degenerate prick".

SOURCE: https://www.rightcasino.com/news/10-greatest-gambling-movies/

TRICKS CASINOS USE TO MAKE YOU SPEND MORE MONEY

     

There’s so much more going on in the average casino than meets the eye. However, most of us tend to be aware of only what’s happening on the surface; we see only what the casino wants us to see. Our senses are dazzled by the lively atmosphere that is complete with lights, sounds, drinks and food, which keeps us entertained and comfortable, feeding the thrill and hope that we’ll be the next big winner. Happily, we move around the casino floor completely oblivious to the fact that these gambling establishments are employing casino psychology tricks to keep us playing and spending more.

There’s a reason why the casino almost always wins. The following are 10 tricks casinos use to manipulate gamblers into playing for as long as possible.

01. NO CLOCKS

If you don’t wear a watch to the casino or you forgot your phone at home, good luck finding out the time. Time has no meaning in a casino. It’s surprising that a lot of people really don’t wear watches. Casinos know this and aren’t about to assist people in keeping them punctual.Players who don’t know the time aren’t in a hurry to quit playing. It’s a fact that when someone is engaged in an activity time seemingly drifts by at a faster pace for them, and you will rarely see humans more engaged than in a casino. Casinos are purposely designed to look the same, regardless of the hour. With no clocks adorning casino walls it is not difficult to simply let time slip away deep into the night without a care in the world. Whether it is 3am or 3pm, the atmosphere is unchanging. When you’re in the casino, your internal sense of time shuts off. All that exists is a now that stretches on until you leave. Don’t expect to get the time from dealers either since they are told not to wear watches for this very reason.Day melds into night and night into day and schedules dissolve into nothingness. Add that to the fact that if you’re in a casino you are most likely on vacation, and that contributes to the indifferent attitude you may have about sticking to your standard routine and spend more time than you had planned repeatedly slapping dollar bills down. 

02. NO WINDOWS

There are no windows or skylights to help you determine if it’s light or dark outside. In most casinos there may be windows near the entrance or exit, but once you get inside the belly of the beast you will be hard up to see any. This tactic goes hand-in-hand with having no clocks. When they get you in, they don’t want you to have any inkling of what is occurring in the outside world. If you were to see it getting dark outside, or even getting light with the dawn, your internal clock would kick in and tell you it’s time to move on and do something else, like go to sleep. However, this will tear you away from gambling and the casino can’t have that. In addition, they don’t want you to see anything remotely interesting happening outside. If you’re playing in a casino on the Las Vegas strip, there is enough visual stimulation outside to draw anyone’s eye to it. Therefore, the casino you are in will do its best to make that outside world nonexistent.

03. LIGNT , SOUNDS AND ACTIVITY 

Casinos are a symphony of non-stop sound, lights and color: bells ringing, siren-like lights flashing, change clanging, slot wheels whirring, digital sounds beeping – it’s all captivating. Why is it captivating? Because it’s non-verbal communication saying, “Win! Win! Win!”. It gives the impression that everyone is indeed winning when, in reality, most are losing. It’s such a happy place, how can I lose?! Flashing slot machine lights and happy, up-beat noises captivate players and boosts their moods, making them feel excited and hopeful that they could win. All the machines, no matter the one you play, is alive with sound and lights, drawing you in and encouraging you to continue placing your bets. In addition to sound effects and other noise, most casinos also play a soundtrack of music that is pleasing to the ear. In some cases the music may be soft, repetitive and easy listening, for the purpose of putting gamblers in a trance-like state. While sometimes music may be upbeat and stimulating.

04. LABYRINTH DESIGHN

You’ve had a good time and you’re ready to leave the casino. That’s when you realize that you have no idea how to get out. You start making your way through the maze of tantalizing slot machines and game tables, only to find yourself encountering more of these tempting traps at every turn as you search for the exit.  Confusion is the end result. The confusion you feel as you try to figure out the labyrinth-like design is normal, and it is one of the age-old tricks employed by casinos to keep players gambling. Casinos are virtually void of landmarks, making it easy for you to get lost. This, in addition to alluring games, can make it difficult to leave. You know the exit was near the video poker machines, but which set of video poker machines? Moreover, more modern casinos have lower ceilings which prevent someone from seeing any landmarks on the walls or ceiling in the distance that may help orient them, but instead keep them hemmed in. For many, especially those who have been imbibing alcohol, finding their way out is like participating in one, large, interactive brain teaser.

05. PLAY WITH DIGITAL CREDITS, NOT WITH CASH

Although your gambling adventure may begin with cash, after you feed your money into a slot or video poker machine, your cash becomes digital credits. Without inserting actual cash into the machine, every time you make a bet, it’s easy to forget how much you’re spending. Once you cash out from the machine, a ticket is printed with your remaining balance. Since you’re not holding physical paper money in your hand, it’s easy to feed that ticket into another machine and keep playing.  The only way to get your winnings or your cash back is to visit the cashier. Casinos make it easy for you to play, but not easy for you to walk away.

06. NEAR WINS

Except actually winning, there’s nothing more exciting than to be extremely close to winning! And they know that, and take advantage of that. All machines are designed to pay out very small wins in the beginning in order to provide you with the incentive you need to keep on playing. So while on the short run you win small amounts, on the medium run you almost win.Has it ever happened to you to be just one cherry away from the jackpot? You didn’t really think that was a coincidence, did you? But if casinos gave out money to everyone who almost won, they would be broke after one day. Every game, whether it be a table or machine, is designed to payout small wins in the short run, but eventually take more from you in the long run. Slot machines constantly make small payouts while perpetually being one cherry or star away from the big jackpot. Players always win hands at blackjack which gives them the impression that the game is winnable, but the house edge is always grinding away at their bankroll and their money slowly dissipates.Other games give the gambler a feeling of “control” such as craps or keno. Here, the player has a direct influence on the outcome, such as throwing the dice or picking their own numbers. This is yet another ploy that gives the player a false sense that they can beat a game and therefore will cause them to play longer.Basically, players overestimate their chances and probability of winning. Near wins are what essentially keep casinos in business. Giving players a taste of winning will almost always guarantee that they visit again.

07. LOCATION OF SERVICES

If you’ve been inside a casino at least once, then you’ve certainly noticed how far placed are the restrooms, restaurants or any other service for that matter.  If you want to use the restroom, get something to eat, or cash out your chips, you must burrow yourself deeper into the bowels of the casino. The purpose is to make you walk through the casino, pass by a lot of very tempting games and machines. This way, maybe on your way to cash out, you might want to give that super nice looking slot machine as try.

Often, these services are wedged as far back as possible. This is a last-ditch effort to keep you inside since you have to walk through the whole place again and pass all of those tempting machines and tables. You have just cashed in your winnings and perhaps you may want to try your luck one last time before leaving. It’s the same principle stores use in hopes of getting a customer to make that last impulse buy during that long walk to the exit.In larger casino/hotels, the casino is buried deep inside the building itself. Taking various escalators, stairs, etc. is the only way to get to and from it and is one way to keep you on the property.

08. FREE PERKS FOR LOYAL PLAYERS AND HIGH ROLLERS

Free or reduced services, otherwise known as comps, are another lifeblood of the casino. Players will often receive coupons for free meals, buffets, shows, etc., or point cards which enable them to win other prizes in order to get them to keep coming back. It makes them feel important, even if they are low rollers and don’t gamble substantial sums of money. Even if they lose, they still feel as if they have gained something and are more likely to return. They are important to the casinos because the vast majority of money made comes from these smaller gamblers, so their business is even more coveted than the high rollers’. Are they simply being good hosts to their patrons? Not really. It’s all calculated to keep them there so they play more and longer. Whatever casinos give out in comps, they make back hundreds-fold from the same people. It’s sort of like persuading a child to behave well in exchange for a cheap toy.

09. FREE ALCOHOL

This could have gone under the freebies category but deserves to be discussed independently. It’s as obvious and transparent a trick as freebies but may be the most powerful. Free drinks work on a couple of levels. First, they’re FREE. Unless you’re a teetotaler, who doesn’t love free drinks? Cocktail waitresses swarm the casino floor, their trays full of various drinks at all times. It’s no secret why this would keep a player put, satisfied, and feeling cheerful. Next, alcohol makes even smart players sloppy. If you’re a player who uses basic strategy in blackjack, alcohol will slow your brain therefore corrupting your ability to make the proper decisions. Gamblers will also become more liberal with their money if buzzed or drunk, throwing their chips around like they’re nothing more than the pieces of clay that they are. To many, sucking down free drinks while playing enjoyable games is pretty much as good as it gets.

10. OXYGEN 

One of the more bizarre tricks is casinos reportedly use higher levels of oxygen in their establishments to help keep players awake. Pumping in this extra oxygen from pressurized tanks, help gamblers to free refreshed and alert, which enables them to gamble for longer, without getting tired. There has also been talk that some casinos even release pheromones, which would promote feelings of comfort and euphoria, making the environment all the more appealing and addictive

Keep these casino psychology tricks in mind the next time you visit the casino and use this knowledge to your advantage. You’ll have a far more gratifying experience and a lot more fun when you remember that, no matter how much a casino might try to trick you, ultimately, you are the one in control of your actions.

SOURCE:http://listverse.com/2010/02/09/10-tricks-casinos-use-on-you/

SOURCE:http://www.vegasmaster.com/casino-psychology-tricks-used-on-players/

SOURCE:http://realitysandwich.com/300010/10-tricks-casinos-use-on-you/