Gamification: How Apps Use Slot Machine Psychology

There are plenty of things to love about gamification and many would say it has been a welcome addition to the online casino platform design. However, behind the attractive graphics and thrill of progressing to the next level, it is important to understand the psychological strategies that are being used to bring players back over and over again.

If you use social media apps like TikTok or Instagram, or even a fitness app, you might be surprised to find that the same type of psychology used for slot machines is being implemented across your favourite apps.

Have you ever got frustrated when your social media is taking a while to refresh or that there is no new content to view? If so, you might have been pulled into the search for the dopamine hit that a refreshed feed gives you. Behavioural psychologists have likened this feeling to the hit that slot players get when they hit a win.

Here’s a look at how different types of apps incorporate slot machine psychology:

Fitness App Streaks/Awards

Fitness apps provide users with extra motivation to hit a streak, which can be very positive for your health if it helps you to develop a better exercise routine. However, you might find that you feel guilty and disappointed if you don’t hit your target or you might obsess about reaching a specific number of calories burned, for example, even if you are only a short number away from hitting the goal.

Social Media Posts Engagement

Getting a notification from Instagram showing you that your post/reel reached X likes or views gives you a dopamine boost and the platform is trying to get you hooked to that feeling so that you keep posting more content and help to grow their platform. Many people have changed their mindset from posting something fun to share with their friends to ‘what can I post to get high volumes of engagement?’.

Shopping App Rewards

Even clothing and grocery shopping apps have started to use gamification models to encourage you to shop more or spend more. There are some online stores that provide free spins and cashback loot boxes that are straight from the casino design tactics.

Have you ever seen a Wheel of Fortune pop up while you are browsing an online shopping app that looks similar to the games you find at casinos? Some brands use this technique to give shoppers a chance to get a discount and feel like they have hit the jackpot but then they have to spend a certain amount to claim it, just like with wagering requirements on slots.

Slot players quickly become aware of these tactics and sticking to transparent, genuine casinos with clear terms for claiming rewards like on this live casino South Africa helps them to avoid being tricked into irresponsible gambling habits.

Some apps will give you a certain amount of discount on your next shop, provided that you spend a minimum amount, which could mean you are spending more than you need to just to qualify for a discount.

Apps With Eye-Catching Visuals And Sounds

You will probably have also noticed that many apps have flashy graphics to catch your eye or sounds that capture your attention. This is called attention engineering and they typically are used to trigger your brain’s reward system. Bright or bold colors might be used to emphasize urgency to get you to take an action. These same design principles are common in online casinos and especially slot games.

How To Avoid Unwelcome Hooks

Not all gamification features in your favourite apps are going to have a negative effect, as with fitness apps, some extra motivation can be very beneficial. Understanding more about how the psychological techniques used in apps trigger responses will help you to identify what is happening to your brain.

Taking some time to consider whether you really need to achieve more likes on social media or whether a reward is worth spending more money to qualify for, will help you to make more conscious decisions, rather than unwittingly falling into the traps.

Loyalty bonuses given in shopping apps, just like with playing casino slots, can actually be very valuable when you take a rational approach and don’t change your spending habits just to reach a goal.

It is also a good idea to turn off notifications on apps unless you really need them. Constantly checking notifications will steer you away from the search for the notification dopamine hits.

Scheduling a set time of social media usage can also stop algorithms from controlling how long you stay on the app. It is very easy to think that you are viewing content that you are actively interested in but 30 minutes later you’re watching a video that has nothing to do with your interests but everything to do with keeping you on the app for longer.

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