The Connection Between Music And Gambling
Music has always been a common aspect in casinos and even betting sites. Think about it. When you walk into a casino, you notice its aesthetic. Casinos spend a lot of money on ensuring everything looks and feels right. But what brings it all together are the tunes playing in the back. So, as you play, you can sway to the sound of the music, which can be dramatic, soothing, encouraging, etc. It’s always there, even if sometimes you do not notice it.
Online gaming sites have worked hard to replicate what physical casinos and betting sites offer. So, as much as they have focused on the general aesthetic and navigability of their sites, they have paid a lot of mind to music. Even when you are playing on e-sport betting sites like rocket league betting, you still get to dance to some tunes as you back your favorite players and teams. And yet, you would think that the focus of such sites would be on the odds and lineups, but still, music finds its way to the scene.
Is the music aspect by chance, or is there more to it? We find out:
Why Is Music So Crucial to Gambling?
Before we even get to why casinos and betting sites use music, let’s paint a scene. Assume you have walked into a casino, and all you can hear is the movement of other gamblers as they walk from one machine to another. And in between the shuffling of their feet, you can listen in on their conversations. Would that be exciting? How about if you punctuated their talks and movement with some music? What if you could hardly pay attention to other players because the music from the slot machine was so enthralling that you could not focus on anything else?
That’s how essential music is to gambling. Below, we cover the motivations behind this connection:
- Music Induces Relaxation
The adrenaline kick from placing a wager is undeniable. You can still feel the anticipation even without knowing if you will win or lose. And that has your heart beating at 100 beats a minute which can be pretty uncomfortable. That’s why many casinos and betting sites incorporate music into their games. They know that you are already on edge, and the music works in many ways:
- It soothes you such that you focus less on the outcome and instead enjoy the experience of playing a game or placing a wager. When your mind is not too preoccupied with what could go wrong, you find it easier to focus on what’s in front of you.
- It makes you spend more time playing. People are often drawn to spaces where their senses feel relaxed. And music has this effect on many people. As such, the bookie or casino benefits from you playing for hours on end because you do not feel like you are in danger.
- It helps you accept losses more than you would in a space where your mind is not preoccupied. Even if you lose, you will feel it’s safe to wager more money on the game. After all, you do not feel threatened. And you still enjoy yourself because of the music. Be careful, though. This sense of security can make you spend more money and time than you had earlier carved out for the game or wagers.
To achieve the above effects, bookies use slow and inviting music. This music may feature some encouraging words or may not have any lyrics, so you will not spend time worrying about what the artist is trying to convey. The simpler the music, the better it is in the above regard.
- Fast Music Increases Betting Streaks
While making you feel relaxed can push you to play for longer, casinos have figured out another way to get you to play. How do they do this? They use music to trigger the parts of your brain drawn to danger. Have you ever listened to a track that made you feel powerful and that nothing could ever get in your way? Casino and betting company managers rely on such music to:
- Make you feel invincible. This sense of power pushes you to make subjective bets such that you spend less time researching what you are about to do. The more upbeat the music is, the more likely you are to spend more time and money on the wagers.
- Make you pay less attention to strategies: Many people approach table games with the aim of banking on strategies to win. But what happens when they reach the said tables? They soon get swept up in the wave of feel-good music. And because they are so caught up in it, they hardly remember to pay attention to the right way to place bets. Take the example of roulette tables. The odds are often in favor of the house. And players end up at a loss when bookies add some distraction to the gameplay.
Consider the background music if you find yourself making erratic decisions in the heat of the moment. The online site or physical establishment could be using upbeat and fast music to affect your decision-making abilities.
- Bells and Whistles Attract More Wagers
Have you ever seen what happens when someone wins on a slot machine? The machine all but screams to everyone around that someone has won. And that motivates more people to keep playing. After all, if someone has received a payout, so can they! Online sites use similar mechanisms. They ensure that when you get a wager right, they blast out feel-good music that prompts you to keep playing. It’s all about motivating you and engaging you at each point.
Besides, music also adds to the aesthetic of the betting environment, even online. When you open a site and hear music in the background coupled with beautiful aesthetics, you feel drawn to play on such a site. And often, online sites play on your feelings to get you to play and to keep you engaged. Thus, while enjoying music is good for your soul, keep your eyes open so you can play objectively.