The Mobile Gambling Game

Mobile gambling game is a growing form of online gaming that involves the use of smartphones to play real money games. It has many advantages over traditional casino gaming and offers players the convenience of playing games on the go. However, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with this type of gambling. Players should only gamble with money they can afford to lose and should never be influenced by peer pressure or other people’s opinions. It is also a good idea to choose a reputable casino with state-of-the-art security features.

Smartphones have created a new paradigm for game design. The emergence of freemium apps—a subcategory in which games are free to download but require paying for upgrades or advancement—is one example. This multibillion dollar industry is based on the assumption that gamers are willing to pay to play a game, even if the chance of winning a jackpot is remote. Some gamers spend thousands of dollars on in-app purchases within a single virtual gambling session.

Currently, most states prohibit mobile gambling for real money. However, a few have introduced legalized mobile casinos. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan offer large, open markets where mobile casino operators compete with each other. These casinos are available for both iPhone and Android devices. In addition, mobile casino websites are available for those that prefer to gamble from their computers or tablets.

A growing number of casino sites now have their own branded mobile gambling app, which allows users to play games, including video poker, blackjack, and slot machines, on their phones and tablets. These mobile apps offer a seamless experience for customers and allow them to take advantage of the same great bonuses, promotions, and other benefits offered by the casino’s desktop website. Some mobile casino apps even offer no deposit bonuses, which can be very helpful for new players.

There is no sign that any regulatory body will stop the proliferation of these gambling-style smartphone games. In fact, a legislative bill was considered in Washington state that would have formally defined these types of games as not being gambling, but the proposal ultimately failed to pass. Some players of these types of games have filed class-action lawsuits against companies like Big Fish, but there is no indication that this will mitigate losses they have incurred due to their participation in these types of apps.

Despite the widespread availability of mobile gambling, research on this new type of addiction is limited and is mostly based on self-report data or markers that are contrived or inappropriately translated from other addictions. This paper reports the first empirical study designed to observe the behaviour of participants using a simulated gambling app on a mobile phone. The results show that engagement with the app during periods of reinforcement predicts perseverance during extinction phases when there is no more reward, and that latencies between gambles correlate with the magnitude of the reinforcer. These results suggest that mobile app designers can influence gambling behaviour by varying the frequency and magnitude of reinforcement, as well as the latency between rewards.