There has always been a significant push to churn out something new to contribute to attracting the player’s attention. There are countless entry points that the online casino field has tried to add to the mix. From free spins no deposit to VIP privileges, the iGaming industry is constantly adding value to its strategy while remaining competitive.
This article will be a tentative foray into the basic principles of applied psychology and its deliberate implementation by online casino platforms. Naturally, this topic requires scientific backing that is currently slim as far as current studies go. Gamification and its effects are not new to psychological scholarship, but its application in gambling is something that needs more study.
As a result, our analysis will be an honest set of observations based on established psychological principles and solid knowledge on the subject of gamification. We find it particularly important to be upfront and frank about the necessity of truthful information, especially when your money and attention are on the line.
Defining Gamification in the Online Casino Context
As a general definition and rule, gamification represents the idea of adding elements of traditional game design into an activity that is not generally associated with games. It’s about adding a level of dynamism and fun to an activity that societal norms and basic psychological responses do not see as entertainment or dynamic.
Elements of gamification have been successful in areas like work environments for the sake of raising team cohesion and efficiency while mitigating burnout. They’ve also been really applicable to education, driving interest up interest in learning beyond generally rigid parameters.
In the context of gambling, gamification’s primary purpose is to create engagement and eliminate the repetitive loop that can settle in while playing games of luck.
By creating a slightly narrative feeling when playing at online casinos, the operator manages to convince players to dedicate more attention to this activity. As a result, it mitigates possible boredom and secures more bets than average over a subject time period.
Nurturing the Competitive Spirit
Competition is something that has always been fascinating in human psychology. Self-worth and personal image are quite clearly dependent on external perception and validation, especially if the individual is a constant participant in society.
Prevailing in a competitive environment is a great source of validation because it provides tangible proof of being able to prevail. Since one’s ability to win is something that proves their self-worth, being able to compete consistently is definitely a perpetually moving wheel that provides motivation.
As such, gamification in gambling turns the narrative away from the player v. house dynamic. 22win, while the casino generally has odds and probability as the ‘opponent’ to the player’s exploits, adding levels of competition is something that can add a layer of importance.
The most widely applicable method of competitive gambling gamification is the tournament. Naturally, the prerequisite for participating in a tournament is consistent gameplay, which is money that can go into the casino’s pockets. Moreover, competition generally requires skill, which is not a factor when it comes to gambling – more on that later.
The ability to enter the fold of such a tournament, compete, and place atop the leaderboard is something that can benefit both the self-worth of the player and provide a certain level of pride when their name is atop that competitive list.
As such, competition is something that online casinos find extremely valuable when trying to bring a gamified dynamic to their platform.
Creating the Illusion of Control via Skill
In gambling, skill is the power of the player to mitigate luck and make efficient choices. However, in most cases, it’s just a matter of probability, especially if the player is only competing against the house. The vast majority of gamblers do not feel like there is any skill because there isn’t.
The idea of placing your money in the hands of Lady Fortune is something very endearing. It’s almost like a defiant statement against the pre-planned, hyperefficient nature of today’s world. Others just want to see themselves win, and that’s what it is. Counting cards in blackjack may work, and analyzing your poker competition may work, but each drawn card is just luck.
What if the online casino makes it feel like you are actually doing something with a clear purpose? Naturally, something fundamentally tied to luck is hardly purposeful in its nature. If the casino understands and implements gamification as a matter of adding purpose, the player’s decision will start to feel more important.
The psychology of control is something that tries to mitigate the innate human sense that entropy is the driving force in our universe. When the player does something with a purpose in a casino, this level of controllable defiance is very endearing.
Case in point: online casinos add challenges and reward systems associated with account levels. Is a player’s in-casino persona leveling up by spending a certain level of money? Then that money is a well-spent sum that sees every new RPG-like level-up have a certain appeal.
If you keep leveling up, you must be doing something right. The casino makes you feel as if you actually have the skill to do so.
Random Rewards Harnessing Excitement
This element of gamification is so simple that it’s somewhat amusing. Random drops represent money/gifts for absolutely nothing else other than being lucky to receive it. The condition for receiving it? You guessed it: you need to be active on the casino’s platform and betting while doing so.
Why is it endearing and exciting? It’s just as simple: the player feels like there is a sense of tension that is similar to excitement. This type of consistent micro drip of adrenaline is very captivating because mere gameplay can generate winning.
Conclusion
As we’ve discussed, gamification is a very creative way of lighting a psychological fire that can burn mellow, almost as if they are embers. However, it makes sure that there is a certain level of interest that runs consistently and spices up the experience of playing at an online casino.
For as easy as it is to play, at online casinos, there is always the risk of developing a gambling addiction, which is why any enjoyer of casino games must play responsibly!