The Psychological Effects of Music in Gambling Environments
The psychological effects of listening context on responses to music have been scientifically neglected, despite the prevalence of music in our daily lives. Until not long ago, there wasn't any research conducted on music's influence in gambling environments (land-based or online casinos), although casino games have become popular choices of entertainment.
The psychological effects of listening context on responses to music have been scientifically neglected, despite the prevalence of music in our daily lives. Until not long ago, there wasn’t any research conducted on music’s influence in gambling environments (land-based or online casinos), although casino games have become popular choices of entertainment.
The Role of Music in Land-Based Casinos
In 2004, scientists carried out an exploratory observational research study on arcades that tried to identify background music’s effects and how slot machines use catchy sounds in their design. The results showed that arcades often use music that their target audience enjoys, stimulating impulsive gambling behavior.
On top of that, the slot machine soundtracks seem to significantly influence the gamblers’ perception regarding the machine (such as quality, familiarity, and the sound associated with winning). Thus, scientists suggest that music, whether used in the environment or the game itself, is a decisive factor in developing and maintaining addictive gambling behavior.
How casino sounds influence the gambler’s subconscious
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Early studies on the influence of music show that when customers in a store are exposed to loud music, their shopping rate (how much they buy per minute spent in the shop) was higher than when quiet music was playing. Still, consumers would spend proportionally less time in the supermarket, so the final results were similar in terms of profit.
Starting from this basis, it can be speculated that people will spend more money in a gambling establishment because their behavior is limited to factors like the number of times it is possible to gamble within a given time period. Scientists do not doubt that music affects both our perception of the environment and spending. They discovered a positive correlation between the ratings of the music and the ratings of the listening environment.
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Scientific proof shows us that music plays a crucial role in the atmosphere and buyer intent, especially in a commercial environment. Another study uncovered that music can increase or decrease the sales of wine based on the type of music played in the background.
Given the previous analysis, another area worthy of investigation is background music in gambling environments and the use of music in casino games like slot machine soundtracks. Plenty of authors argue that sound effects can induce gambling behavior.
On top of that, their research shows that the constant noise in the gambling establishment(like money falling into the payout tray or sounds played when you get a winning combination) will create the impression of a fun and exciting environment where winning occurs more often than losing(especially since there is no sound for that).
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The importance of music in slot machines
Music plays a vital role in slots, particularly with newer machines themed after video games, TV series, or movies. The music played in the slot machine will form the gambler’s impression regarding the game, as the mind associates it with:
Quality of Machine – Music quality is essential. Most gamblers compare the slot’s quality with the quality of the sound effects and music it has. For some of them, the sounds are the primary reason for choosing a particular slot to play.
Distinctiveness – Game designers use music to create a distinctive feature that players will remember, facilitating gambling in the future. For example, Red Gaming uses a unique guitar sound when slot uses the gamble feature, like on the slot machine Rampage. Researchers have noted that gamers that play this slot were more likely to play again due to the music, hoping to win the jackpot and hearing the rock music anthem.
Sound of Winning – Music can send a signal that somebody won on the slot to both the player and those in his vicinity. Sound has the power to raise self-esteem and extend playtime. Sounds of winning are used for creating the illusion that a positive outcome is more common than losing.
Familiarity – psychologists show that the name of slot machines and the sound they make are essential in acquiring gambling behavior. Frequently, slots are named after familiar events, famous places, persons, or films that players can relate to. It is considered that media-related slots are more enticing, inducing a psycho-structural interaction that increases the chance of repeat use. Thus, familiarity has a persuasive effect on players, raising the time and money they spent on the slot.
What is the role of music in online casinos?
Nowadays, people are shifting towards online casinos because of the accessibility they have to offer. Players can enjoy their favorite slots and table games directly from their portable devices, meaning that the playtime can be extended drastically.
Studies show a direct correlation between the growth in popularity of video games and gambling addiction because designers use mechanics and sound borrowed from slot machines to keep the players hooked.
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Since the competition is continuously increasing in the online gambling market, operators have started re-creating key psychological triggers present in land-based casinos that will entice the users, keeping them entertained and spending more. Music is essential for player retention, as it gives users the vibe of being in a physical casino. Additionally, there are thousands of new slots that are only available online. They all have unique music and sound effects that can trigger gambling behavior in different ways.
KingCasinoBonus is a valuable resource for all British gamblers that want to stay connected to the latest releases from the iGaming industry. This site has a database with thousands of online casinos, free slots, and educational blogs that can enhance your gamer senses, ensuring that the gambling decisions you take are not influenced subconsciously by triggers like music or advertising.
Conclusion
Despite not having enough empirical data yet, and most studies are purely theoretical, specialists have concluded that music has a role in the acquisition, formation, and maintenance of gambling behavior. Based on scientific observation, slot machines are more appealing depending on the music playing in the background or from the machine itself.
Therefore, it’s safe to assume that music is critical for the gambling industry, as it increases the confidence of the player, it can have a relaxing effect, make the player ignore previous losses, and even induce a romantic affective state that might mislead users to think that his chances of winning are higher.
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Five Manchester artists we’ve been listening to this month | March 2024
Danny Jones
How do, Manchester – it’s that time again, time to look back over another great month of new music and pick out some of the best local artists we’ve been listening to over the past four weeks.
Be them veterans of the Manc music scene by now, or more up-and-coming bands and solo artists that are just getting excited, there’s space for all on this monthly list.
We’re all here for the same reason after all: we just love finding new tunes and acts that we’ve not come across before and with so much out there these days, it can be tough to sift through everything.
That’s where we come in, so without further ado, here are the five Manchester music artists that we’ve been listening to throughout the month of March.
1. The Covasettes
First up on the list is a Fallowfield-formed quartet with roots in Hyde and various other parts of Manchester that many of you may have seen on festival lineups over the past few years. They also happen to have just announced their biggest tour yet in support of more new music on the way.
If you’ve been lucky enough to see them live before like us, then you’ll know these lads have a dedicated following already that just keeps growing and deservedly so. With an irresistibly defiant and uplifting indie sound, there’s something very late 90s/2000s British alt-rock about them and we love it.
Having been releasing stuff since 2018, you can’t start anywhere else other than their biggest tune ‘Be Mine’ but we’d highly recommend ‘Duvet Thief’ (great album artwork too) as your second play and their latest single ‘One Tear a Time’ has already become a proper earworm of ours.
2. James Holt
Moving out to the borough of Bolton, local singer-songwriter James Holt has something very old school about his sound that we can never quite place – sometimes it’s almost a bit Cat Stevens, other times it’s Jimmy Webb, Elvis Costello and even Beatles or Lennon at the very least. All we know is we like it.
There’s just lots of twinkly 1960s and ’70s throwback about it and he’s had some serious praise from legends like Brian Eno and as you sweep through his expansive style, it’s easy to see why. A vintage look and sound paired with a bloody great hairdo and what do you get? One of the coolest artists in Greater Manchester.
It’s hard to recommend one particular place to begin but we’ll do our best; start with ‘Pendulum’, then his biggest tune ‘Mystery Girl’ and then we have a soft spot for ‘Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?’ because the little melody in it sounds a bit like ‘Keep on Movin” by Five — we can’t unhear it and now neither will you.
3. Dr Dr
A bit of a whiplash turn now with Manchester post-punk outfit Dr Dr, who recently played a superb set at Disorder that we’ve not stopped thinking about for a while.
Led by charismatic and supremely energetic frontman Fred Farrell, they give off a little bit of The Blues Stones, Royal Blood and plenty of other contemporary British rock; it’s fast-paced, great to bounce to and there’s some great electronics and distortion at work that really helps hit their style home.
Still early in their career and with only five tracks out so far, we’re just going to go ahead and tell you to give them all a listen but we will say that their latest single ‘Uppercut’ has had love from XS Manchester, BBC Introducing, Radio One and more – let’s just say can firmly put us on that list if admirers too.
No-nonsense Manc indie at its finest. If you like fast rhythmic guitars, a great live BPM, reliable vocals and that instantly familiar feeling that only Northern bands like this can deliver, then M60 need to be in your rotation.
‘I Don’t Mind’ may be their biggest tune and it’s undeniably catchy no matter how many times we hear it, but our other two picks simply have to be ‘Honey’ and our day one favourite ‘Darling’. Honestly, that’s a sing your lungs out and jump up and down with your mates kind of tune.
They’re also currently spearheading a very funny campaign to keep getting their name out there and it involves Gary Neville. We sincerely want them to succeed and have every faith they will.
5. Everything Everything
And the last spot this week could be no other: Manc alternative legends Everything Everything, fresh off having sat with their latest record, Mountainhead, for a good month now and boy is it a belter.
These guys have set a pretty high bar when it comes to albums over the years and Raw Data Feel was one of our most-played albums of 2022, but this might genuinely have some of their best work to date. ‘The End of the Contender’, ‘Don’t Ask Me To Beg’, ‘Enter the Mirror’ – all absolute rammers.
Stockport locals were honoured with their presence at a very special gig at The Plaza earlier this month and we’re still kicking ourselves for missing the ticket window. If you haven’t listened to these extremely experimental and immensely creative musicians before, rectify that mistake pronto and thank us later.
And there we have it, another month and a handful of amazing local artists from around the region and the best part is, since we do music so well around these parts, you already know there’ll be plenty more to get stuck into next time.
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Speaking of which, you can find the Greater Manchester acts we picked out for February down below and you best believe you’ll be seeing us back here same time again next month.
Manchester’s biggest free music festival is back this Easter bank holiday weekend
Danny Jones
Sunnier days are well and truly on their way and better still, that means Manchester’s biggest free music festival and one of the best event series on the annual calendar is returning: that’s right, it’s time for Manifest 2024.
Back and bigger than ever, Manifest over at The Oast House in Spinningfelds returns this Easter Sunday and we cannot wait to get soaking in the sun, tunes and good vibes.
The biggest and most popular free music festival you’ll find anywhere in Greater Manchester, Manifest has been going for a few years now and it’s become such a staple of the warmer months here in the city centre that we don’t consider spring/summertime as having even started until it rolls around again.
Set to deliver an all-day line-up of live music with various acts playing from Sunday, 31 March at 1pm onwards and well into the early hours of Monday, 1 April, we can’t think of many better ways to spend the bank holiday.
Taking place on The Oast House’s large outdoor terrace complete with its dedicated stage and the big beer garden providing both coverage and plenty of room for Mancs to turn it into one giant dancefloor, thousands turn up to this series of events every year now.
Kicking off this season’s festivities on Sunday, 31 March, the first Manifest event of 2024 has a packed roster of musicians lined up including bands, solo artists and duos, as well as interludes from their resident and ever-reliable DJs.
Guests can expect not only a vibrant party atmosphere all day and night but tastes of pretty much every genre, from rock, pop and soul to R&B, funk, disco and blues.
Again, part of the reason this music festival series has become so popular is that it’s completely free, with space inside the venue dished out on a first-come, first-served basis. There were plenty of queues at every single date last year, so we recommend getting there early. Seriously, it packs out quickly.
You’ll have everything you need to keep you sorted throughout the day when it comes to food and drink too, by the way.
The Oast House’s street food-style menu will also be on offer for those looking to line their stomachs during the festivities.
We’re talking katsu chicken fries, Northern poutine with bone marrow gravy and Shorrock’s Lancashire cheese, chicken or plant-based gyros, stacked burgers, hot wings and hanging kebabs. We’ve tried it all and trust us, some seriously good scran this.
Festivalgoers can also keep cool with plenty of cold pints and house-made cocktails, including twists on the classics such as Watermelon Margaritas, Passionfruit Coladas and Pink Gin Punch. Phwoar.
The best part is, even if you’re already busy this weekend (obviously, scrap your plans and come here), you’ll have plenty more opportunity to enjoy Manifest this year with the free music festival returning every bank holiday weekend throughout the spring and summer.
There’s also set to be an extra few Saturday Manifest dates this year which are still yet to be confirmed but we’ll keep you posted as and when we know more – see you there, Manchester!
And to keep track of the other latest music news going on here in Manchester, keep your eyes peeled over on The Manc Audio.