For most of human history, gambling has been a staple pastime with people inventing new and transformative gambling experiences. It has transcended even cultural and geographical barriers that it is its own language and identity. Ancient civilizations have started this collective trend and even in modern societies, people are attracted to the excitement this activity gives them.
There are reasons why people gamble, and they can be as simple or as complex as they can be depending on who you ask. However, there are psychological implications and roots to this discussion, and we can explore that here in this article. Regardless of how gambling has started, you can bet that people who partake in the activity have strong emotions about it with some going through mental addictions and even physical traumas.
For example, South Africans love to play online casinos because they have been given the opportunity to earn and even vent their frustrations through digital and virtual means of gameplay vices, and that’s also because online casinos are everywhere nowadays and easily accessible. It’s not unimaginable that somewhere down the street, someone is playing one right now. Whatever is the case, let’s find out why people gamble in online casinos.
A Desire for Thrill and Excitement
A primary reason generally people make out for gambling is its innate engagement and excitement factor. Because the brain releases fun chemicals like dopamine with each win, gamblers whether professional or beginners get a dose of that chemical which makes them feel happy in the moment. This rush of dopamine is the exact reason why players would want to go back into gambling, with some developing addiction to it.
Dopamine is like a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure in the brain, so it is a strong chemical that controls those sensations. These chemicals release when something good happens in your life like getting a job or winning a lottery for example. People who would want to get a dopamine rush can play at Joe Fortune’s online blackjack since this online casino provides the safest, most secure, and smoothest gaming experience ever.
The Illusion of Control
If you’ve watched the movie of Keanu Reeves called The Matrix, you might be able to relate to this section because humans are inclined to believe they have free will over things and they can control a sequence of random events. The Law of Attraction manifesto is similar as far as it tries to manifest determinism in an otherwise random world. Whatever is the case, it is sure that future generations will get a taste of this illusion of control whether it is in gambling or in life.
This is because gambling provides a false sense of agency to some without the use a methodical mathematical tool at their disposal. However, this false sense of security is shattered whenever the House wins, and the House always wins in the end. Casinos are not charities, but businesses that are in the game of making money.
Escapism and Emotional Regulation
For most gamblers, it is a safe bet to say that they perceive gambling as a form of escapism, like playing video games. It is a means to escape the treachery of everyday living because reality can be harsh to anyone as it doesn’t discriminate. Gambling offers temporary relief to those who want to be distracted from the woes of life and the realities that bite back.
Needless to say, the atmosphere of a traditional on-site casino is alluring and fun. With the rise of the internet, this may extend to online and virtual casinos that try to go beyond what traditional casinos can do, and a lot of people are drawn to this type of activity. Undoubtedly, gambling has been around for so long because it provides a much-needed break from reality, which the entertainment industry capitalizes on.
Social Interaction and Validation
The social aspect of any game is always considered as this enhances the overall human experience of playing addictive games. This is truly clear with the video game Call of Duty as an example, but with casino games, this is much more solidified. Competition, camaraderie and shared excitement elevate the overall gambling experience, and that’s why there are tournaments held all year round.
Being perceived as a professional and successful gambler can offer validation and a level of status among people. The legendary gambler Amarillo Slim was a living example of that kind of status.
Cognitive Biases and Irrational Thinking
People are vulnerable to various cognitive biases that reshape our decision-making, especially when it comes to gambling as all bets are off. The so-called gambling fallacy, for example, leads individuals to believe that the past can be used to influence future outcomes even if it is impossible to begin with.
Confirmation bias is another form that reinforces the belief for the player to keep playing and encourages continued play because of the illusion of a “hot hand”.
Conclusion
The factors from this list may not be exhaustive, but there are key elements into understanding the psychology behind gambling as well as why people gamble whether it is through online or on-site means. One thing is for certain: gambling has captivated the hearts of our ancestors as well as probably future generations to come. Gambling is here to stay whether we like it or not as it is a multi-billion-dollar industry to begin with.