The Dopamine Effect: How Winning Affects Our Brains

Dopamine is the hormone of pleasure and a familiar feeling to gamblers who are on a winning high. Our brain releases the hormone as a form of reward for something positive that we do or something that happens to us. There are loads of scenarios in which our brains release the feel-good hormone, and the intensity can vary.

For instance, we feel good after physical exercise, finding a solution to a problem, completing chores, or even eating. All of these activities and happenings can release dopamine, increasing both our motivation and our sense of well being. As can gambling, when you make big wins. But there are also some real dangers to dopamine rushes and gambling. Here, we will analyze the effect this hormone has on us, and in what ways it may alter the way we play.

Gaming Expectations and Dopamine Rushes

All players enjoy the feeling of getting rewarded for their gamble. Whether it is the thrill of hitting a blackjack, winning your roulette bet, getting a high value hand in video poker, or landing a specific combination of symbols on the reels of a slot machine. The brief moment when the cards are drawn, the roulette ball travels around the track or the slot reels are spinning fills us with curiosity and anticipation. For these fleeting seconds, stress builds up in our bodies, as we await the outcome to see whether we will win or not. If we do win, we are rewarded with a release of dopamine, putting our minds at ease and dissipating the stress instantly.

However, we don't even necessarily need to win a round to get a boost of dopamine. A near miss can also increase our motivation – enhancing the feeling that you are close to hitting that all-evasive win.

Experienced players will know that, depending on the game and the specific bet, when to “naturally” expect wins. The statistical probabilities of either a Banker Bet or Player Bet in baccarat are that you will win 4 to 5 times after 10 hands. Alternatively, if you are betting on ties, then you will only statistically win around 9.6% of the time, or once in every ten hands. These are assumptions based purely on the probability of the outcomes.

Probability and Volatility

Probability is one aspect to consider in casino games, and volatility is another. Volatility is the rate at which a slot game will pay out. High volatility means the wins do not come often, but the returns are better when you land a winning payline. Low volatility means you win more frequently, but they will not be as significant. The high volatility player is generally not concerned about losing consecutive rounds. They are building up for the big win, which will release a tremendous amount of dopamine as the player is kept in more suspense. Low volatility players do not have the same big rush, as their wins come more often and are far smaller.

Generally speaking, the longer you have to wait for your win, and the bigger it is, the harder your dopamine will hit. But that is not the only way a player can alter their dopamine levels on a win.

Risk Factor and Stake Size

When playing a demo version or for pennies, your dopamine levels are far smaller than when you play for big money. The likelihood of winning does not change, but there is a greater emphasis on what you could stand to win, or lose. Instead of leaving a game on autoplay or casually placing your roulette bets, you are more hesitant and feel a greater weight of stress. This stress can instantly be relieved and turned into joy if your bets come through and you land a gigantic sum of money. But a loss would be more devastating and could force you to end your gaming session right then and there.

When Dopamine Rushes Change the Way We Play

The frequency of the wins and the amount of money you stake can change the intensity of your dopamine rushes. Some players will try to force the dopamine rushes and try to force a big win. The dangers of losing are obvious but winning can also have adverse effects on a player.

That is because the following surge of joy can entice you into trying or again, or forming gambler's fallacies and biases. The temptation to replicate, or double, that great feeling of winning is difficult to play down. The winner's high can easily lead to overconfidence and distort our understanding of the odds at play.

Cognitive Bias

This is a misconception about how randomness works in casino games. Players on a dopamine rush may feel that they can predict what will happen in the next round, based on the previous. The ball lands on black 5 times in a row, prompting the gamer to think that the 6th round must be red. The game is not rigged, after all, and the chances of the ball landing on 6 black numbers in a row is 1 in around 75. But the real odds at the time of that 6th spin is really 18 in 37, or around 1 in 2.05.

Chasing Losses

Striking a win after a series of losses comes as a relief, and can release dopamine. But a player who thinks in patterns can take that win as the sign that their luck is changing. One of the most challenging scenarios a gamer can be put in is deciding to quit after losing. Yet they must in order to salvage some of their bankroll. It can be tempting to chase your losses and try to break even, but you shouldn't let the desire dominate your gaming. Losses are part of the game, and it is always better to take a time out and recalibrate.

Loss Aversion

If you have really lost a lot of money and get a long awaited win, it may not even release any dopamine at all. The feeling of loss is more intense than the thrill of winning, a phenomenon known as loss aversion. If you had won that hand before all those losses, you would get your dopamine rush and see it in a positive light. But you cannot because the previous losses are weighing too heavily on your mind to get excited about the win. Loss aversion is extremely dangerous, as it usually goes hand in hand with chasing your losses.

Gambling to Abuse Dopamine Rushes

Dopamine is one of the most powerful hormones in our body. It can lift your mood and increase motivation, something we all thrive on. The dopamine rush associated with casino gaming may tempt players to use these games to get their dopamine hits. We aren't talking about the players who like to unwind and zone out playing slots. Nor those who fancy the occasional gamble to pump up their excitement levels. Instead, we are looking at people who actively seek dopamine rushes, and are prone to addiction.

Escapism

Some players use casino games as a way of escaping real life. They find it all too easy to switch off and get stuck into gaming, which is alright so long as you have control on how much time and money you spend. Should this gambling escapism be taken too far, it can lead players into situations where they lose copious amounts of money. Money they couldn't afford to lose in the first place.

Financial Desperation

Casino games are not designed for financial investment or as a way to get rich quickly. The danger increases when players believe they can develop skills to beat the house and win at casino games. Hollywood films have glamorized card counting, leading many people to misunderstand how the technique actually works.

Casino games are designed to profit the house. In that, we mean you have to win more times than the actual probability of winning is. The roulette wheel has 37 segments. You won't break even if you win 1 straight number bet every 37 rounds. No, you will need to win more often than that to break even or make a profit.

How Gambling Authorities Respond to Problem Gambling

Gambling authorities from around the world do their part to ensure the safety of players. They only permit licensed operators with provably fair games to enter the market. Plus, all online casinos must provide players with tools to control their gambling time and money spent. These authorities have the resources to conduct studies and research how we behave to gambling.

They set up programs and institutions to help educate players about the dangers of gambling. Gambling education is something all players can benefit from. Especially people who are considered to be vulnerable to gambling addiction or misconceptions. By sharing responsible gambling practices and educating people about the dangers of gambling, they can help prevent gambling harm and addiction.

What You Can Do to Play Responsibly

Online casinos have tools such as reality checks and deposit limits that are easy to set up. These ensure that you never go overboard with your gaming or spending. They can also help you understand your own gambling habits and try to adjust them to meet your expectations. Generally, licensed casinos require you to set up these limits upon registration.

Understanding how gambling works and that there are no guarantees of winning is key to enjoying your casino games. Also, you should avoid casino games if you are feeling depressed, intoxicated, unmotivated, or just feeling a little flat. You don't want to form any bad habits or rely on these games to boost your dopamine and lift your mood. These games can help you relax and zone out, which is fine. So long as you have set up a reality check to make sure you don't get too carried away.