Abstract
Two studies investigated the effects of a video lottery terminal stopping device on gamblers’ thoughts and behavior. This structural characteristic allows players to voluntarily stop the spinning of the reels. The first study investigated the effect of this device on the development of illusions of control. It was predicted that players using the stopping device would believe that (1) symbols displayed could differ depending on when the game is stopped, (2) there is a possibility of controlling the outcome of the game, (3) skills may be a factor influencing the results, and finally (4) a stopping device would improve the probability of personal success (i.e., developing the illusion of control). The second study aimed to further evaluate the effects of the stopping device on gambling behavior. It was hypothesised that using the stopping device would encourage players to increase the number of games played in a session. Results confirmed all predictions and showed that offering a stopping device on video lottery terminals modifies gamblers’ cognition and behavior. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed in the context of responsible gambling policies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A. Blaszczynski (2000) Overcoming Compulsive Gambling Robinson London
A. Blaszczynski R. Ladouceur H. Shaffer (2004) ArticleTitleA Science-Based Framework for Responsible Gambling: The Reno Model Journal of Gambling Studies 20 IssueID3 301–317 Occurrence Handle15353926
A. W. Chau J. G. Phillips (1995) ArticleTitleEffects of perceived control upon wagering and attributions in computer blackjack Journal of General Psychology 122 253–269
P. H. Delfabbro A. H. Winefield (1999) ArticleTitlePoker-machine gambling: An analysis of within session characteristics British Journal of Psychology 90 425–439
P. H. Delfabbro A. H. Winefield (2000) ArticleTitlePredictors of irrational thinking in regular slot machine gamblers The Journal of Psychology 134 117–128 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3islWksg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10766103
M. Dickerson E. Baron (2000) ArticleTitleContemporary issues and future directions for research into pathological gambling Addiction 95 1145–1159 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M%2FltFCksw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11092063
K. M. Diskin D. C. Hodgins (1999) ArticleTitleNarrowing of attention and dissociation in pathological video lottery gamblers Journal of Gambling Studies 15 17–28
M. R. Dixon L. J. Hayes R. E. Ebbs (1998) ArticleTitleEngaging in “illusory control” during repeated risk-taking Psychological Reports 83 959–962 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M7itF2gsg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9923175
M. Griffiths (1990) ArticleTitleThe gaming industry and the psychology of the fruit machine The Occupational Psychologist 11 28–32
M. Griffiths (1993) ArticleTitleFruit machine gambling: The importance of structural characteristics Journal of Gambling Studies 9 133–152
M. Griffiths (1999) ArticleTitleGambling technology: Prospects for problem gambling Journal of Gambling Studies 15 265–283 Occurrence Handle12766464
J. J. Koehler B. J. Gibbs R. M. Hogarth (1994) ArticleTitleShattering the illusion of control: Multi-shot versus single-shot gambles Journal of Behavioral Decision Making 7 183–191
R. Ladouceur C. Sylvain C. Boutin C. Doucet (2002) Understanding and treating pathological gamblers Wiley London
R. Ladouceur M. Walker (1996) A cognitive perspective on gambling P. M. Salkovskis (Eds) Trends in cognitive therapy Wiley Oxford 89–120
R. Ladouceur M. Walker (1998) The Cognitive approach to understanding and treating pathological gambling A. S. Bellack M. Hersen (Eds) Comprehensive clinical psychology Pergamon New York 588–601
E. J. Langer (1975) ArticleTitleThe illusion of control Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 32 311–328
H. R. Lesieur S. B. Blume (1987) ArticleTitleThe South Oaks Gambling Screen (The SOGS): A new instrument for the identification of pathological gamblers American Journal of Psychiatry 144 1184–1188 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiiA38zms1E%3D Occurrence Handle3631315
P. Loba S. H. Stewart R. M. Klein J. R. Blackburn (2001) ArticleTitleManipulations of the features of satndard video lottery terminal (VLT) games: Effects in pathological and non-pathological gamblers Journal of Gambling Studies 17 297–320 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD387htFWntA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11842526
S. Milton (2001) Stop Gambling : A Self-Help Manual for Giving up Gambling Pan Macmillan Australia
InstitutionalAuthorNameNova Scotia Department of Health (1998) Nova Scotia video lottery players survey 1997/98 NovaScotia Department of Health Nova Scotia
P. K. Presson V. A. Denassi (1996) ArticleTitleIllusion of control: A meta-analytic review Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 11 493–510
H. J. Shaffer M. N. Hall J. Vander Bilt (1997) Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling in the United States and Canada: A meta-analysis Harvard College Boston, MA
T. Toneatto T. Blitz-Miller K. Calderwook R. Dragonetti A. Tsanos (1997) ArticleTitleCognitive distortions in heavy gambling Journal of Gambling Studies 13 253–266 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3sznslGhtQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle12913389
R. A. Volberg H. J. Steadman (1988) ArticleTitleRefining prevalence estimates of pathological gambling American Journal of Psychiatry 145 502–505 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieC287lt1Q%3D Occurrence Handle3258133
M. Walker (1992) The psychology of gambling Pergamon New York
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ladouceur, R., Sévigny, S. Structural Characteristics of Video Lotteries: Effects of a Stopping Device on Illusion of Control and Gambling Persistence. J Gambl Stud 21, 117–131 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-005-3028-5
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-005-3028-5