Slot Machines Research Articles

The “Joy Hook,” “Weird Feedback Loops,” “Quick Hit Pieces,” and “Usefulness”

While dance has captured attention across platforms and media, remuneration is constrained by copyright issues, a devaluation of dance as a product, and racism. Media coverage of economic, labor, and crediting concerns in popular dance is a critical part of the circuit of creation, discourse, and culture-shifts in online dance. Coverage has an important role in an age of online organizing and the exposure economy, while it simultaneously extracts value from the creators being covered.

Losses disguised as wins evoke the reward positivity event-related potential in a simulated machine gambling task.

Electronic gambling machines include a suite of design characteristics that may contribute to gambling-related harms and require more careful attention of regulators and policymakers. One strategy that has contributed to these concerns is the presentation of "losses disguised as wins" (LDWs), a type of salient losing outcome in which a gambling payout is less than the amount wagered (i.e., a net loss), but is nonetheless accompanied by the celebratory audio-visual stimuli that typically accompany a genuine win. These events could thereby be mistaken for gains, or otherwise act as a reward signal, reinforcing persistent gambling, despite being a loss. This study aimed to determine whether LDWs evoke a reward positivity component in a task modeled on slot machine gambling. A prominent account of the reward positivity event-related potential suggests that it is evoked during the positive appraisal of task-related feedback, relative to neutral or negative events, or that it is evoked by neural systems that implement the computation of a positive reward prediction error. We recruited 32 individuals from university recruitment pools and asked them to engage in a simple gambling task designed to mimic key features of a slot machine design. The reward positivity was identified using temporospatial principal components analysis. Results indicated a more positive reward positivity following LDWs relative to clear losses, consistent with the theory that LDWs contribute to positive reinforcement of continued gambling, despite being net losses.

Gambling in Victoria: Changes in Participation, Problem Gambling and Gambling Environment Between 2008 and 2018

Gambling and its impacts are an important public health issue. The relationship between gambling, problem gambling and gambling harm is complex and dynamic. Replicate prevalence studies are useful for surveillance and monitoring gambling impacts within jurisdictions. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in gambling and problem gambling in the Victorian adult population between 2008 and 2018 by investigating individual gambling activities and exploring their relationship with the Victorian gambling ecosystem. Gambling participation has decreased; problem gambling prevalence has not. Investigation beyond these summary measures reveals important details: (a) Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs), casino table games, race and sports betting (‘high-risk activities’), informal private betting, and Keno, and their associations with problem gambling endure. Further, the strength of this association is unaffected by changes in product technology, delivery, or the Victorian environment in which they reside, (b) participation in high-risk activities, excluding EGMs, increased while for other activities they decreased, (c) EGMs continue to pose the greatest risk for Victorians, (d) males and young adults continue having a higher problem gambling prevalence rate and preferring both online gambling and high-risk activities (excluding racing favoured by an ageing, older cohort, and Keno, by all ages), and (e) gambling access and exposure proliferated enabling single site multiple gambling opportunities on high-risk activities. Young adults represented a new vulnerable group as they reach the legal gambling age. The most effective interventions (based on major falls in real expenditure (losses) on EGMs, the highest risk activity) were the smoking bans, removal of ATMs from venues and decreases in bet size. There is great potential for prevention, intervention, and minimising harm in the gambling environment.

The investigation and application of Muti-Armed algorithms in recommendation systems

In the contemporary Internet recommendation systems in various fields, muti-armed algorithms will show high accuracy and practicability. Internet users can always get abundant positive feedback through the recommendation system via utilizing these algorithms. In this paper, there are three most typical muti-armed algorithms as examples are provided. Explore-Then-Commit (ETC) algorithm is the first to mentioned. The physical meaning of this algorithm is that in the exploration stage, the action will be selected in a certain order, and after a certain number of rounds, the action with the largest average reward will be directly selected. Moreover, Upper Confidence Bond (UCB) algorithm is also a type of pivotal tool. The main function of UCB algorithm is to make the selection by calculating the upper bound of each arm confidence interval instead of the expected reward of the slot machine. Thus, it is an optimistic algorithm. First, select each arm in random order, then calculate the value of the upper bound of each arm confidence interval, and finally, select the arm with the largest value. The last mentioned Thompson Sampling (TS) Algorithm take Bayesian optimization as the theoretical basis. This algorithm takes out the candidate parameters, generates a random number, and selects the maximum value for input. This paper also introduced two fields related to the topic of the application of muti-armed algorithms in the recommendation systems in modern fields. News recommendation algorithms and personalized recommendation systems can be more comprehensive and representative to illustrate the practicality of these algorithms. Therefore, muti-armed algorithms reflect the importance in the recommendation fields via the balance of exploration and exploitation.

One-armed bandit problem and the mirror descent algorithm

We consider the application of the mirror descent algorithm (MDA) to the one-armed bandit problem in the minimax statement as applied to data processing. This problem is also known as the game with nature, where the player's payoff function is the mathematical expectation of the total income. The player must determine the most effective method of the two available and provide that it is predominantly used. In this case, the a priori efficiency of one of the methods is known. This article proposes a modification of the MDA that allows to improve the efficiency of control through the use of additional a priori information. The proposed strategy retains the characteristic property of strategies for one-armed bandits - if a known action is applied once, it will be applied until the end of the control. Modifications for the algorithm for one-by-one processing and for its batch version are considered. Batch processing is interesting in that the total processing time is determined by the number of batches and not the original amount of data, if it is possible to provide parallel processing of data in batches. For the proposed algorithms, using the Monte-Carlo simulation, the optimal values of the tunable parameters were calculated and the minimax risk estimates were obtained.

Offering an auto-play feature likely increases total gambling activity at online slot-machines: preliminary evidence from an interrupted time series experiment at a real-life online casino.

Auto-play is a ubiquitous feature in online casino gambling and virtual slot machines especially, allowing gamblers to initiate spin sequences of pre-set length and value. While theoretical accounts diverge on the hypothesized causal effect on gambling behavior of using the auto-play feature, observational findings show that this feature is used to a higher degree by problem and/or high-intensity gamblers, suggesting that banning this feature may constitute a global responsible gambling measure. Direct, experimental research on causal effects of offering auto-play at online casinos is however lacking. Here, we report the findings of an interrupted time series experiment, conducted at a real-life online casino in Sweden, in which the auto-play feature was made available during a pre-set duration on 40 online slot machines, with 40 matched slots serving as control. Aggregated time series on daily betted amount, spins and net losses were analyzed using a structural Bayesian framework that compared observed developments during the peri-intervention period to modeled counterfactual estimates. Results suggest that offering an auto-play feature on online casinos likely increases total gambling activity in terms of betted amount (approx.+ 7-9%) and (perhaps) number of spins (approx. +3%) but has no effect on net losses. Limitations of studying auto-play effects on a population-level, as well as the complexities of banning this feature within a complex ecosystem of non-perfect channelization to licensed providers, are discussed, including suggestions for future research.

UCB strategies and optimization of batch processing in a one-armed bandit problem

We consider a Gaussian one-armed bandit problem, which arises when optimizing batch data processing if there are two alternative processing methods with a priori known efficiency of the first method. During processing, it is necessary to determine a more effective method and ensure its preferential use. This optimal control problem is interpreted as a game with nature. We investigate cases of known and a priori unknown variance of income corresponding to the second method. The control goal is considered in a minimax setting, and UCB strategies are used to ensure it. In all the studied cases, invariant descriptions of control on a horizon equal to one are obtained, which depend only on the number of batches into which the data is divided, but not on their full number. These descriptions allow us to determine approximately optimal parameters of strategies using Monte Carlo simulation. Numerical results show the high efficiency of the proposed UCB strategies.

Quick Hits: A missing mammal rediscovered in Indonesia, a speedy new species of dinosaur in Brazil, Ivory Coast chimpanzees that snoop on their neighbors, and much more in this month's Quick Hits.

Quick Hits: A missing mammal rediscovered in Indonesia, a speedy new species of dinosaur in Brazil, Ivory Coast chimpanzees that snoop on their neighbors, and much more in this month's Quick Hits.

Beyond 'single customer view': Player tracking's potential role in understanding and reducing gambling-related harm.

Usage of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and on-line gambling is strongly associated with gambling-related harm. Player-tracking systems can monitor a gambler's activity across multiple sessions and/or operators, providing a clearer picture of the person's risk of harm with respect to these gambling formats and enabling harm reduction efforts. The Finnish and Norwegian state monopolies have player-tracking systems in place, while the United Kingdom is implementing an operator-led system called 'single customer view' for on-line gambling, and Australian states are proposing similar 'player cards' for land-based EGMs. Player tracking can advance harm reduction efforts in three ways. First, player tracking improves our understanding of gambling-related harm by providing data on how the population gambles, which can potentially be linked with operator, government and/or prevalence data sets. Secondly, player tracking can be used to implement harm reduction measures such as expenditure limits, self-exclusion and age verification. Thirdly, player tracking can provide a platform to evaluate harm reduction measures via gold-standard field trials. These potential benefits need to be weighed against various practical and ethical issues. The potential benefits of player-tracking systems would be maximized via systems administered independently of the gambling industry and implemented universally across all gambling in a given jurisdiction.

Online Slot Games Addiction Phenomenon Case Study of Cultural Anthropology Students Batch 2020 Isi Padangpanjang

This research discusses the phenomenon of game online slot addiction, a case study of Cultural Anthropology students class of 2020 at ISI Padangpanjang. The aim of this research is to describe the factors behind and the consequences of the online slot game addiction phenomenon in Cultural Anthropology students class of 2020 at ISI Padangpanjang. The theories used are Alfred Schutz's Phenomenology theory and Dominic Strinanti's Popular Culture theory. The research method used is qualitative research. Data collection techniques are field observations, interviews and documentation. The findings from this research are that there are several factors that make Cultural Anthropology students class of 2020 addicted to playing online game slot online, such as: high curiosity, trying out luck, filling in gaps, and a friendly environment. Then the consequences caused by gameslotonline addiction include dependency, lack of sleep and disturbed activities, not focusing on studying and talking dirty and rude.

On Hostile and Oppressive Affective Technologies

4E approaches to affective technology tend to focus on how ‘users’ manage their situated affectivity, analogously to how they help themselves cognitively through epistemic actions or using artefacts and scaffolding. Here I focus on cases where the function of affective technology is to exploit or manipulate the agent engaging with it. My opening example is the cigarette, where technological refinements have harmfully transformed the affective process of consuming nicotine. I proceed to develop case studies of two very different but also harmful affective technologies. Casinos and electronic gambling machines deploy computationally intensive scaffolding to shape the onset and continuation of gambling episodes. High-heeled shoes affectively engineer wearers’ relationships to their own embodied capacities and are predominantly expected to be worn by women. I conclude with a discussion of the need for study of affective technology to focus other-directed applications, some of which will serve competing or antagonistic interests.

Edukasi tentang Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja pada Pekerja di Proyek Perbaikan Gedung Sekolah X di Jakarta

The construction work sector is one of the work sectors that has a high risk of experiencing work accidents because work in this sector uses a lot of machines, materials, workplaces, and a dangerous work environment. Many workers in this sector do not know and understand about occupational safety and health (OHS), while OHS knowledge is a basic need for construction workers. Without basic knowledge of OSH, workers will not realize that there are many hazard factors that can cause accidents or work-related illnesses. This Community Service activity is expected to enable workers to recognize dangerous factors in the workplace and how to control them to minimize the occurrence of work accidents. Educational activities about occupational safety and health for construction workers were held for construction workers on the X school building renovation project in Jakarta, totaling 15 workers. After this activity is held, workers can understand K3, such as the definition and objectives of K3, definition of hazards and risks, risk control and are able to identify hazards in their current work. In the future, it is hoped that K3 training will be held with a more specific theme regarding construction work

2D Analytical Calculation of the Open Circuit Electromagnetic Field Distribution in an Axial Flux Slotted Permanent Magnet Machine using Fourier Analysis.

The paper presents an analytical method in order to obtain the electromagnetic field distribution in an axial flux slotted permanent magnet machine under no-load conditions. The method solves the Laplace equation in the gap of an slotted machine via magnetic scalar potential. Once the magnetic scalar potential is defined, the magnetic flux density components are computed.. Results issued from the proposed model are compared with those stemming from a 3D finite-element method (FEM) simulation. In addition to permanent magnet machines, this technique can be applied to any 2D geometry with the restriction that the geometry should consist of rectangular regions.

Do breaks in online gambling affect neuropsychological arousal? Conceptual approach and lessons learned from the TESSA-pilot trial

IntroductionMandatory breaks have been discussed as a harm reduction strategy in the context of gambling for several years, but their effectiveness remains unclear. The TESSA pilot study examines the association of physiological arousal (PA) and mandatory breaks during gambling with an aim to conceptualize the framework for a subsequent randomized controlled trial. Material and methodsIn a one-armed experimental pilot study 28 participants engaged in a simulated online slot game with mandatory breaks. PA, disentangled into fear, anger, joy, attraction, balance, and retraction, was continuously monitored via skin conductivity and skin temperature. The occurrence of PA in distinct phases (phase 1: initiation, phase 2: pre-break, phase 3: post-break) was contrasted by multilevel logistic regression. ResultsFear and attraction did not change. Compared to phase 1, anger (OR = 0.698; p = 0.015) and joy (OR = 0.714; p = 0.032) were less likely in phase 2, with joy also being less likely in phase 3 (OR = 0.690; p = 0.023). Balance was more likely in phase 2 (OR = 5.073; p < 0.0001) than in phase 1 and less likely in phase 3 (OR = 0.348; p < 0.0001) whilst retraction declined from phase to phase. DiscussionMandatory breaks appear suited to offset changes in PA response evolving during gambling, but a sustained effect on initial PA levels should not to be expected. However, to sensitively judge the role of breaks additional framework conditions that impact on gambling behavior (e. g. wins/losses) should be considered.

Benchmarking of usability and user experience: electronic table games against electronic gaming machines at casinos

Electronic gaming machines (EGMs), emulating mechanical slot machines, were the first and most quintessential category of electronic gambling equipment at casinos. Usability and user experience evaluation of EGMs, as information systems, can often serve as a baseline against which comparable evaluation of other younger electronic gambling equipment, also as information systems, can be benchmarked. In contrast, electronic table games (ETGs), being electronic versions of standard, traditional table games, are usually regarded as comparatively new-fangled equipment vis-à-vis EGMs. This article focuses on benchmarking gamblers’ perceived usability of and user experience with ETGs against EGMs. Adopting the major constructs of the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) along with the additional construct “trust” and operationalizing these constructs in accordance with the literature, such constructs as “perceived ease of use”, “perceived usefulness”, “perceived risk”, “attitude”, “social influence”, “innovativeness”, “stress to use a technology” and “trust” in respect of ETGs’ and EGMs’ perceived usability and user experience were rated by n = 694 respondents in a questionnaire survey conducted in late 2022 in Macao. Paired-samples t-tests were applied to each constructs’ ratings of ETGs and EGMs. It was found that of all these constructs, only the population mean differences in the ratings of constructs “perceived risk” and “attitude” between ETGs and EGMs were greater than zero. The implication is that among the various perspectives of perceived usability and user experience, only the risk prevention of and the attitude towards existing ETGs’ designs outperform the counterparts of existing EGM’s designs, which can often be treated as the baseline for such benchmarking. This article also purports to a speculative reason for such findings. In conclusion, not only are much younger ETGs by no means trounced by long-standing EGMs in terms of gamblers’ perceived usability and user experience but also ETGs have also surpassed EGMs in the perspectives of risk prevention and the attitude towards such electronic gambling equipment. This article advises that further research be undertaken to investigate the underlying reason for the above findings, especially, whether the speculative reason proposed in this article is true.

Evaluating the usability of and user experience with electronic gaming machines at casinos

Casino operation is generally considered as a controversial leisure industry. Given its electronic gambling equipment being highly specialized information systems specific to the industry, such equipment has not drawn much attention from the literature on usability and user experience compared with information systems deployed in most other industries. As electronic gaming machines (EGMs), emulating mechanical slot machines, epitomize the category of electronic gambling equipment in longest real-life service at casinos, this article evaluates gamblers’/users’ perception of EGMs’ usability and user experience in a broad sense. Augmenting the prime constructs of the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with the additional construct “trust” and adopting the construct operationalization commonly applied to them in the literature, such constructs as “perceived ease of use”, “perceived usefulness”, “perceived risk” (RISK), “attitude” (ATTD), “social influence” (SI), “innovativeness” (INNOVA), “stress to use a technology” (STRESS) and “trust” (TR) in respect of EGMs were rated by n = 694 respondents in a questionnaire survey conducted in late 2022 in Macao. Paired-samples t-tests were employed to pairwise compare the ratings of these constructs. It was found that of all these constructs, RISK’s mean ratings were the lowest and ATTD’s the highest. In other words, relative to other usability and user experience perspectives of existing EGMs’ designs, risk prevention or its presentation to the gamblers/users fell most short of expectation, and the gamblers’/users’ attitude towards EGMs was most outstanding. In conclusion, this article advises that risk prevention be prioritized for amelioration, and gamblers’/users’ attitude towards EGMs is most preferably to be maintained.

Quick Hits: Deciphering a scorched scroll from ancient Herculaneum, unlikely flavors in climate-change-affected wine, an undiscovered ore found in China, and more in this month's Quick Hits.

Quick Hits: Deciphering a scorched scroll from ancient Herculaneum, unlikely flavors in climate-change-affected wine, an undiscovered ore found in China, and more in this month's Quick Hits.

Analytical Cogging Torque and Unbalanced Magnetic Force Calculations in Slotted Surface-PM Machines Assuming Finite Iron Permeability

Analytical Cogging Torque and Unbalanced Magnetic Force Calculations in Slotted Surface-PM Machines Assuming Finite Iron Permeability

Invariant Description of Control in a Gaussian One-Armed Bandit Problem

Invariant Description of Control in a Gaussian One-Armed Bandit Problem

Is the secrecy of the parametric configuration of slot machines rationally justified? The exposure of the mathematical facts of games of chance as an ethical obligation

Is the secrecy of the parametric configuration of slot machines rationally justified? The exposure of the mathematical facts of games of chance as an ethical obligation