Las Vegas Sun NewsStudy: Many slot players more interested in killing time than winning big
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Casey Condrom plays the Aladdin video slot machine in the WMS Gaming booth during the first day of the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) convention at the Sands Expo Center Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011.
Thursday
29 November 2012
2 a.m.
Updated
30 Nov. 2012 11:54 a.m.
Sun coverage
For people who play slot machines, time is more important than money.
Instead of focusing on hitting a big jackpot, they spin the reels to relieve stress, entertain themselves or kill time.
That’s according to a new study from Oregon State University.
The results are important because they help gaming executives understand — and market to — the slot players who provide the most profit to casinos.
“Casinos can cater to different types of gamblers,” said Sandy Chen, an assistant professor of hospitality management at Oregon State University-Cascades and one of the study’s authors. “Instead of having a long line of slot machines, for example, they can be arranged in a circle to maximize socialization for those who are motivated by that aspect. Socialization may be a major reason for people to continue going to casinos instead of choosing online gambling options."
About three-quarters of casino revenue comes from slot play. Between 70 percent and 90 percent of American gamblers say they prefer to play slot machines rather than table games.
Additionally, more than 60 percent of slot players say they'd rather win small, frequent payouts than large, sporadic jackpots. Only 33 percent of gamblers surveyed said they prefer progressive machines, which tend to offer the biggest jackpots.
Chen said slot players typically aren't in a lower-income bracket and looking for big wins. Rather, they are more affluent and seeking entertainment.
Players most likely to be found at slots are women ages 55 to 60 who are homeowners with some college education and a household income of more than $55,000.
Chen said her study showed that women tend to play slots for the experience while men hope to make money.
“Women are more into functional motives — the social experience, the excitement and the fun," Chen said.
Slot players typically fall into four groups: bored people looking for something to do, players seeking a buzz, people who want to have fun and people looking to relieve stress. The last group, the “relaxation gamblers,” tends to be the most educated and affluent. Those players make up the majority of gamblers in the United States, according to surveys by slot manufacturers.
As for specific games, almost three-quarters of progressive players said their favorite game is "Wheel of Fortune." "Jacks or Better" was by far the most popular video poker game.
Relatively unpopular — contrary to information reported by manufacturers — are slot machines with complex story lines and colorful characters. Fewer than 1 in 5 players sought those types of games, Chen said.
Co-authors of the study included Stowe Shoemaker and Dina Zemke, from the Harrah College of Hotel Administration at UNLV.
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Boy, that's my wife & I in a nutshell. She couldn't care less if she wins or loses as long as she gets lots of "play time." Me? If I hit a 4-of-a-kind on my first play, I'm outta there. I want to win and couldn't care less how long it takes or doesn't take and, lately, I've noticed just getting a 3-of-a-kind is like pulling teeth on the video poker machines. I play less than ever before. I hate to lose.
Mr. Sun,
Please convince the gaming community to allow me to conduct the next study. I promise to do it at half the expense. Duh.
Regards
Purgatory
Gambling as a local is generally a losing proposition. If you can afford it, great. Enjoy. The problem is that the guy/girl that shows up in the casino 2-3 times a week is going to lose a substantial amount of money over the course of a year. The tourist coming here 2-3 times a year can win but the regular player is a victim of the odds played out over many, many visits. Eventually the house advantage plays out over the long haul.
Locals should learn blackjack or craps if they want some semblance of a fairer shake. Slots are brutally bad. If I go, like Jerry, I go to win. I'm not there for entertainment.
5 years back I used to see Royal flushes drop in around me quite often on the video poker. The last couple of years I have not seen any. They have definitely tightened up the payouts on these machines.
Slot player are dingbats. If you want to kill time-try going for a walk. It's a lot cheaper & you won't weigh 250 pounds.
Tightening the machines has been going on for many years. Soon a jackpot will be only something that was once possible.
'They want to kill time', which is exactly what the casinos don't want. Some poker machines are set so that you have no choice as to the speed, except to wait longer to push the button for the spin, plus they are so tight and take your money so fast it's no longer feasable to kill time. It's too expensive. I sat down at a penny slot the other night just to kill time. I put in $20 and hit max bet, (not realizing that max bet was $15). I won $95 on that spin and walked away.
"I won $95 on that spin and walked away."
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very good. You adhered to the one rule that casinos hate...know when to walk away. If you talk to most dealers they will tell the number one reason people lose (other than the odds) is they don't know when to walk away up money. You won more than 6x your bet. What more do you want? I see a lot of people who start with 50 bucks at the table and turn it into 200-300 in no time. They should take profits because they likely aren't going to continue that run.
reading is cheaper.
For those compelled in being entertained by slot-machines perhaps your "luck" would improve if you only patronized slot-machines advertised as 100% payback?
For those compelled in being entertained by slot-machines not advertised as 100% payback -- why don't you inquire as to what the theoretical payback is prior to patronizing a particular slot-machine so that you may ascertain your theoretical costs (house hold) of being entertained by that particular slot-machine?
While asking consumer protection/regulation agencies why they don't require casinos to disclose slot-machine theoretical entertainment costs i.e. "house holds" to their patrons?
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There are some very astute observations here today. TomD, you are right on in your comments. Know when to walk, whether winning OR losing. Sometimes it just ain;t your day, so cut your losses and walk.
Also, I have to laugh when I recall Stations failed 'Guaranteed Play' promotion.