Structural Characteristics of Video Lotteries: Effects of a Stopping Device on Illusion of Control and Gambling Persistence

Journal of Gambling Studies volume 21, pages117–131(2005)Cite this article

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 to check access.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

US$ 39.95

Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. A. Blaszczynski (2000) Overcoming Compulsive Gambling Robinson London

    Google Scholar 

  2. 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

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. 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

    Google Scholar 

  4. P. H. Delfabbro A. H. Winefield (1999) ArticleTitlePoker-machine gambling: An analysis of within session characteristics British Journal of Psychology 90 425–439

    Google Scholar 

  5. 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

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. 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

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. K. M. Diskin D. C. Hodgins (1999) ArticleTitleNarrowing of attention and dissociation in pathological video lottery gamblers Journal of Gambling Studies 15 17–28

    Google Scholar 

  8. 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

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. M. Griffiths (1990) ArticleTitleThe gaming industry and the psychology of the fruit machine The Occupational Psychologist 11 28–32

    Google Scholar 

  10. M. Griffiths (1993) ArticleTitleFruit machine gambling: The importance of structural characteristics Journal of Gambling Studies 9 133–152

    Google Scholar 

  11. M. Griffiths (1999) ArticleTitleGambling technology: Prospects for problem gambling Journal of Gambling Studies 15 265–283 Occurrence Handle12766464

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. 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

    Google Scholar 

  13. R. Ladouceur C. Sylvain C. Boutin C. Doucet (2002) Understanding and treating pathological gamblers Wiley London

    Google Scholar 

  14. R. Ladouceur M. Walker (1996) A cognitive perspective on gambling P. M. Salkovskis (Eds) Trends in cognitive therapy Wiley Oxford 89–120

    Google Scholar 

  15. 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

    Google Scholar 

  16. E. J. Langer (1975) ArticleTitleThe illusion of control Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 32 311–328

    Google Scholar 

  17. 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

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. 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

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. S. Milton (2001) Stop Gambling : A Self-Help Manual for Giving up Gambling Pan Macmillan Australia

    Google Scholar 

  20. InstitutionalAuthorNameNova Scotia Department of Health (1998) Nova Scotia video lottery players survey 1997/98 NovaScotia Department of Health Nova Scotia

    Google Scholar 

  21. P. K. Presson V. A. Denassi (1996) ArticleTitleIllusion of control: A meta-analytic review Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 11 493–510

    Google Scholar 

  22. 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

    Google Scholar 

  23. 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

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. 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

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. M. Walker (1992) The psychology of gambling Pergamon New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, University Laval, Quebec (Qc), Canada, G1K 7P4

    Robert Ladouceur & Serge Sévigny

Authors
  1. Robert Ladouceur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Serge Sévigny
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert Ladouceur.

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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

Download citation

Keywords

  • video lottery
  • structural characteristics
  • illusion of control
  • gambling persistence