A slot is a narrow opening, hole, or groove. It can also be a position or direction in which something moves, as in the case of a slide or reel in a slot machine. The term is also used in computing to refer to a specific area of memory. The concept of a slot is the root of many modern computer operating systems, including the Linux kernel.
Despite the fact that the vast majority of slot players enjoy gambling as a form of harmless entertainment, a small but significant subset may experience severe gambling-related problems (Blaszczynski, Sharpe, Walker, Shannon, & Coughlan, 2005). These problems can be financially and socially devastating, leading to debt accumulation, relationship difficulties, financial ruin, and even involvement in illegal activities.
While many games feature various themes and features, some are based on real-world events or people. These include slots based on well-known films, TV shows and musicians. Licensed slots are very popular because they allow casino players to enjoy the thrill of winning a jackpot that is inspired by their favorite character or band.
In this study, we aimed to investigate whether dark flow and reward reactivity account for different aspects of enjoyment during slot play. Participants completed a series of trials on three separate slot machines simulators housed in a single cabinet. A force transducer was fixed underneath the spin buttons and used to measure the amount of pressure applied. This was converted into a volt signal which was recorded by AD Instruments PowerLabs and saved in Labchart.
