Does the Music in Casinos Make Players Take Bigger Risks?

We're aware that songs impact our emotions, but what's their effect on gamblers? A Norwegian group delved into this, trying to determine if casino background music truly influences gamblers, and if it does, how it alters their behavior.

The team proposed that since connections exist between risky behavior and mild stimulation when listening to slow classical or instrumental music elsewhere, a similar effect might be seen in casino goers.

A modest study at Norway's University of Bergen analyzed how 72 female and 29 male psychology students—an unexpected demographic for a casino setting—responded. These are the results they came up with:

Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO)

Their research suggested, “Both slow and fast tempos have correlations with increased risk-taking in gambling.

Oddly, every single participant engaged with the games only if music was involved.

Moreover, our daring group of psychosocial scientists uncovered a nuanced yet unmistakable correlation between melodious tunes and an increase in gambling activities.

Slower tunes coaxed participants into longer gambling sessions, while quicker beats led to swift reactions and more frequent bets in short periods.

The findings highlight that there's a noticeable distinction between losing all your funds in two hours versus 90 minutes in online gambling .

One might question the financial investment that went into revealing these rather unsurprising insights.

Historically, early 1912 warnings from proto-psychosocial experts hinted at the dangerous liaison of melody and betting. slot machines .

John Philip Quinn's work from the same year, Gambling and Gaming Devices, warns youth worldwide on its very cover, acting as a comprehensive lesson advising against all forms of gambling.

The 2014 Norwegian research quotes Quinn, emphasizing the century-spanning concerns over music and gambling intertwining.

However, the citation seems misplaced, having little relevance to the concept of music while betting, but who cares by this stage, right?

How Casino Soundtracks Can Affect Gamblers' Decisions

Apart from the 2014 Norwegian endeavor, there isn't much evidence on harmonious tunes benefiting gaming houses.

Yet, upon entering any casino lately, you’ll note music softly playing—a subliminal hint at best, engaging patrons.

In my observation, the background melodies are keenly selected to resonate with the audience; if the patrons are over 40, classics like Frank Sinatra or Madonna mix with some country hits for spice.

As day drifts into night, the playlist evolves to feature contemporary chart-toppers, signaling a shift this keen observer has noticed.

Places like Vegas’s M Resort or Station properties, favor old-school tunes during the day, swinging to pop as darkness falls.

Try being an observer next time at your favorite casino: listen closely to the tunes, and gauge the age range of the gambling patrons.

Chances are, you’ll see that the younger the crowd, the brisker and trendier the soundtrack gets, and vice versa.

It's a misunderstanding to assume casinos skimp on playlist investments.

Depending on casino size, multiple playlists could serve distinct areas, tailored to the current local demographic preferences.

Honestly, nobody's going to risk it all on red just because the tunes are serenading with 'Luck Be a Lady Tonight'.

Yet, they might catch themselves spiritedly ordering a vodka martini 'shaken, not stirred,' possibly clouding their wagering choices.

What's the Goal of Using Music in the Background?

For the younger crowd, a casino feels more like a perpetual party, a never-ending spree, where losing a salary today doesn’t worry, as another paycheck follows next week.

Older folks are typically easing into well-earned leisure rather than acting out wagering impacts; tunes spin to reflect such preferences.

There's no need for Norwegian experts to prove music can impact one's mood; familiar uppity songs will always bring a brighter outlook.

This poses a challenge for casinos, similar to scent's distinct influence (which I’ve previously discussed), hearing equally personal and subjective.

A tune could invoke a warm summer's memory for you, whereas for another, it's a dreaded song that might stir unpleasant recollections.

Therefore, selecting background music in casinos demands care, aiming to invoke positivity, safety, and assurance for as many patrons as feasible.

Hopefully, it keeps the players focused for another hand or keeps them hammering the PLAY button with zeal.

And that contributes to the house advantage The tendency for winning streaks dwindles the more often or longer you place your stakes.

Lost in the Digital World: No One Can Really Hear You Sing!

In contrast, online spaces scarcely feature background melodies, akin to fragrant-free zones. online casinos Since mobile casino apps cater to diverse settings and noise variance may not suit everyone around, discretion is advised.

Imagine your office manager stumbling upon you firing up a virtual slot, all while humming to ZZ Top's 'Viva Las Vegas' at your desk.

And forget about turning restrooms into impromptu gambling karaoke rooms!

Whether you're gaming from home on classics or hitting Vegas sporadically, bypass blaring casino music by crafting your gambling playlist.

Platforms like Apple, Amazon, Spotify, or Google Play offer streaming services to curate personal favorite track lists.

Some already-structured playlists mimic authentic brick-and-mortar casino soundscapes, whereas others pay homage to Vegas music themes.

If creating your own soundscape intrigues you, why not spin your list at a renowned online casino for test runs?

Final Thoughts

Casinos employ many tactics to amp the gambling thrill—music is a key player, determining your wagering duration and response speed.

Research shows faster beats might trigger more betting enthusiasm, though it's not universal for all gamblers.