Slots have no limitations and that is what experts are saying are making them so dangerous to the market. People may not realize how much they are investing in the games. It is easy to sit at a slot machine for a few hours and not even know how long you have been there. In addition, some gamers lost track of how much they are wagering too. Slots games can come with tiny wager requirements. If you are wagering just one-penny on a game, then you most likely won’t consider the long-term cost of the game. New studies have also shown that slots’ gaming is a fast paced game for most people. You won’t have to wait for anyone else to make a move because the games are just between you and the machine. Normally a good slots gamer can spin the reels one-hundred times in any given hour. This means that if you are wagering just $1 per spin, you can end up wagering $100 an hour! This isn’t immediately evident to most gamers. Especially now that there are a lot of slots parlors using ticket-in/ ticket-out systems. In these systems you aren’t going to be using any actual coinage or dollars. It is easy to forget that the amount on your ticket is automatically being deducted from your account as you continue to wager at the game. It is easy to overlook the issues with gaming on the slots. They are games that come with a “harmless” feel to them.

Add to that the fact that the games are cute. There isn’t a whole lot of intense focus or attention to the games as you wager on them. This is another reason why they can be dangerous. No one takes a slots game as costly. Everything about them screams innocuous and fun games. This means that most gamers believe that they can’t go overboard with the games. Of course this is not true. Slots games are just like any other gambling game. You have to set your own limits and watch your actions. Never discount a simple game as anything but a gamble. Be sure you are aware of this and acting as vigilant with them as you do with other bigger-wager games.

Part of the criticism of the games is that they are highly addictive because of their varying wager. A gamer may shy away from a $50-per spin game or a game with a $100 buy-in, however they may not think twice about a game that requires $1-per spin. How could $1 hurt you? Then they put the game on auto-play (a feature that allows the game to spin on its own until it needs human intervention) and away they go. In a half hour that machine could auto-spin over fifty times and they have lost $50. If they keep playing for the normal gaming session which is about three-and-a-half hours, that means $350. Even if they win, research shows that may skim $50 off the top of that wager amount, but it won’t negate the entire amount. Experts are warning that people need to be extra cautious when it comes to slots gaming. No other game is as innocent as slots…or as addictive.

In an effort to fend off problems anti-gambling activists are requesting some contingency plan if legislators are going to go through with full legalization. They are hoping that there are the proper safeguards built right into the system. For example, some states already have a “black list” or an “opt-out list.” These are lists of gamers who cannot enter a casino to wager. The casinos have a database and as people enter, they check their name against the list. If it is on there, they are denied access. The reason is because some gamers already know that they have a problem and want casinos to do the responsible thing and cut them off. The opt in to these lists. This plan is in place in the western part of the country but there have been some lax casinos that have let them in anyway. This is definitely an issue and casinos in the future have to be more mindful of ways to protect the gaming public…in particular, the gaming public that has already asked for assistance with monitoring their gambling. The market has a long way to go to protect slots gamers from going overboard, but they are well on their way to the right legislation needed.

One thing that is making self known in the market is the addictive natures of slots games. It is becoming a problem because experts are stating that more people can fall into gambling problems with slots than other games now. So what is the reason? Look at the games. First of all, consider other gambling games. Poker, roulette, blackjack and other table games may require a larger buy-in of $25 or more. People who are strapped for cash are going to think twice about this kind of game and entering it. In these games there is only one winner and most likely that is the person alone who is going to take home some of the spoils. For example, if the game is a $25 buy-in, it may have a jackpot of $1,000 that is going to be split 50/25/25 by the top three winners. They know that the chances of winning aren’t big and only three lucky players are going to walk away with something. Anyone who has a limited bankroll is going to think about joining in on this kind of tournament. On the other hand, there are slots. If you have just $25, you can wager at the penny-slots and easily have a good gaming session. If you win something, that can make it that much more extended and fun. Slots are affordable and fun…but there is a problem.

In that fun and affordable nature of the games, there is room for addiction. Experts are citing the fact that no one really thinks about wagering “one penny” on a game these days. They can easily start wagering at a penny game and before they know it go overboard. In particular if they are a frequent gamer. Sure wagering $50 probably won’t put anyone in the poor house, but wagering $50 every day for two weeks could have a serious effect on bills and mortgage payments. This is how games are unassuming. The slots seem like low-wager games, and they are IF the gamer is careful. Without that careful eye and strict bankroll anyone can fall quickly into problems with slots gaming. Experts are cautioning that with slots it is a slow death. Be sure that you are careful with the games and set limits wisely.

Since the beginning of slots gaming there has been a strong correlation between gambling and alcohol. The first slots games were situated in bars and pubs throughout the state. They were there for one reason: to bring in more patrons. Bar owners knew that if they could get a customer to stay an hour longer they would not only wager on the games, but also continue to drink. This was a win-win situation for them and most decided to quickly take advantage of it. things aren’t that much different now. Casino operators know that alcohol in a lot of ways is the key to bringing in maximum dollars. Nothing is more inhibition-breaking than alcohol! Casinos offer free alcohol to anyone gaming because research shows that the more alcohol that flows, the more revenue the casino makes. It is big business to mix drinking and gambling and no one knows that better than Caesar’s Palace casino operators.

The casino recently made a change to their slots games. It seems that drinking is that much easier now that you don’t even have to put in an order to the waitress. Normally when you sat at a machine at Caesar’s Palace you had to wait for the waiter or waitress to come around and do their rounds. When they did they would ask you what you wanted and you could order any drink from the bar, and ten have it delivered directly to your games. Now, the new slots machines that were installed at Caesar’s Palace take the verbal ordering out of the entire equation. You can order your drinks directly from the slot machine screen. All you have to do is click on the screen for the casino’s menu and you can make a selection directly from there. Then you wait a few minutes and it is delivered to you by the waiters and waitresses walking the floors. It is a great convenience to be able to order from the slots games and another example of how operators are trying to make it easier and easier to keep on wagering. This convenience is most likely going to reach more casinos due to its overwhelming appeal to the gamer.

The fact that slot games look innocent enough is enough to draw thousands of people into addiction over them. The fact that they cost little to wager on is a reason why the door is open to a huge selection of gamers to participate in. You won’t have to bring hundreds or thousands of dollars to a casino to wager on the slots. You can have fifty, twenty or even ten dollars and still be albe to find a few games that allow for a good gaming session. This is another reason why the games are so popular and so dangerous. If a player wants, he or she can spend hours at a casino wagering on the various slots games and have a great time doing it. It isn’t until they are done wagering that they figure out just how much they lost. In addition to time, it can cost hundreds of dollars. Even a penny-machine can be spun over one-hundred times per hour. It isn’t uncommon for avid slots gamers to play for eight hours straight. In this instance it may not be the cost of the games that puts them over the edge, but it may be the eight hour time spend playing. Consider what other responsibilities they were shirking to play for those eight hours. This could be where their addictions manifest and showcase the most.

In the end, addiction is a difficult thing to manage and slots are playing into the problem more and more as laws change. The opening door for gaming and slots is creating new markets. For example, Britain recently released a report showing that over 60,000 of its underage residents have serious gambling addictions to slot machines. This is a startling number and is posing additional gaming problems for the market. Only time will tell where the question of gambling and slots ends up in coming months. The push though is for expansion and this could create serious problems for residents. Legislators are going to have to revisit the question of legalizing slots gaming due to its natural growth into addictions. Research is showing that it is more likely to get addicted to the innocuous slot machine in the corner than it is to the high-stakes blackjack table these days.

No one can debate that slots are addictive. Just consider the number of games you can play if you go to the average casino. Not only will you have access to a long list of games and themes, but they can cater to any bankroll you have. If you have a few hundred dollars to wager, you can find a number of games to enjoy that offer bigger payouts and bigger bonus games. On the other hand, if you have a limited bankroll you can find games that offer this style of gaming too. You won’t have to worry about finding a game that fits into your limits. You also can find any game you want in terms of themes. The world of slots gaming is highly varied. You are going to find games with themes from cars to cats and shopping to safaris! It is easy to find a game you love with the huge array of choices you are going to have available to you. Just watch out for the games you like, test them out and most likely you won’t have a problem with finding the perfect games for you wagering style.

There is a problem though. Slot games are perfect for gamblers…almost too perfect, in fact. Recent studies have shown that slots gaming is the most addictive of all casino activities. Most likely the reason is how easy it is to get into the games. You don’t need to allot for any learning time or strategy building with these games. It isn’t hard to come up with reasons why slots gaming is so open to eveyrone who comes into a casino. A recent study also showed that Las Vegas casinos take over 60% of their gaming income from slots parlors. That is a huge number and a sign of just how powerful slots gaming is. Another reason why people are getting addicted to the games too is that they are easy to go overboard at. For example, if you have to pay $100 to buy-into a good poker game, you are going to think twice about that money and the fact that it isn’t a small amount. On the other hand, you can sit at a $1-per-spin slot machine and wager a much smaller amount. But, if you stay with that machine for three hours, you could be spending well over $300 at the end of the gaming session. Slots gaming is the kind of expense that creeps up on you over time, which is one of the main reasons why it is so addictive.

Part two coming next.

It’s odd to think of the progression of slot machines. Part of the machine’s popularity can be attributed to its flexible wager requirement. Anyone can find a machine they can afford—whether they are looking for top-dollar machines or penny machines. No player is excluded from the games. In fact, during the recession high-wager tables of poker were found barren more than a few times, but the penny slot machines never were.

The slot machine world has grown to include more than anyone could have anticipated– with countries all around the world trying to decide whether they are going to legalize or ban the slot machines. Slot machines are responsible for the largest amount of steady money coming into any casino. The games are easy to play, so everyone has an equal opportunity and that what makes them so universally popular among gamblers. Poker, blackjack, backgammon and most other casino games come with some skill required. For example, one of the biggest problems with blackjack is understanding the types of bets needed to succeed. Same thing with poker—it’s a game of skill and more experienced players have the ability to win more. Not with slots—it’s purely a game of chance and who ever is lucky, wins big.

But a slot machine involves entering a wager and then pushing a button—that simple! There is no real stress involved or contemplative thinking. The games are gambling at its lowest form in terms of skill and focus. They are just good old American fun and millions of gamblers know it. Though there is a good aspect of slot machines, it’s that very ease of gaming that is causing some experts to say that slot machines are highly addictive. They are so simple that people may not even know how much they have wagered. Critics of gambling are citing how the games’ ease can contribute considerably to gambling problems. People may not know how much they have wagered over time and considering the wagers can be so minimal, that only adds to the potential loss. If gambling isn’t regulated, critics argue that addictions may run rampant throughout society adn without programs ready to help, it could mean sure disaster. 

Now is not a good time for cutbacks to affect gambling programs. Although the UIGEA is set to become law tomorrow, that does not mean it will. The law is set to make online gambling illegal, but will it work? Industry insiders are saying that it won’t. They are predicting that there is enough of a legislative push to bring amendments to the UIGEA and alternatives to the picture that the question of illegal online gambling will be changed.

The state of Massachusetts is one state that is having a hard time fleshing out the online gambling issue. It is in the midst of some serious changes regarding the hobby. Online gambling is a billion-dollar business and the state is looking to expand its gambling in an effort to overcome its huge deficit problems. Unfortunately the state’s budget is causing greater cutbacks that could soon affect its new state of operations with the acceptance of gambling.

It was just announced that the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling may have to close down due to budget cuts by Governor Deval Patrick. The agency has been a very important organization for the state and it’s offered a wide variety of services to gambling addicts. However since the recession, funding for the agency has seen a 62% decline. This huge cut in funds makes it next to impossible for the organization to continue running. The change puts the state in a precarious position since legalization and regulation of gambling is such a hot topic.  One critic of the gambling issue stated, “They are going to provide all the gambling and slots people need, but when those same people become addicts, who is going to help them then?”

Although some believe that the funds from gambling and slots will fuel the economy in the state and allow it to earmark money for addiction services, there has been no formal move or committment by the government to do so. if slots are made legal and accessible in the state, some method of funding help for those in need will need to be found. Some analysts are suggesting the best option is for the state to legalize and regulate slots gambling and then portion part of the proceeds directly towards addiction services.

Whether you are going into a land-based casino or logging in online, be sure to have a plan when you go to play slots. One of the most important things to remember is that casinos know how to make you gamble. They have built their entire business on knowing what the psychology of gambling is. They know how to position the games, the lights, the signs and the tables so you are encouraged to play more. Play longer. And Play big.  How many times have you walked into a slots parlor only to be dazzled by the number of games and payout announcements? You hope to win big, so you start wagering. And then keep going.

In particular with the advent of online slots play this is an increasingly difficult problem to manage. Think about it– now you don’t have to do anything to play slots. You can create an online account, find a casino and play from the privacy of your own home. You can wager big or small for as long as you want. And, playing more is just a mouse click away.  Whether you are at a land-based or online casino, it’s getting increasingly more difficult to manage.

The key to slots play is to have a plan. Set in your mind a bankroll. Decide how much money you plan on wagering and then stick to it. How many times do you see the line at the cash cage blocked with people trying to get more money out of their accounts or trying to get cash advanced from their credit companies? Don’t fall into this trap! Though it seems like fun to have “one more” gamble, remember that this can get you in trouble. Make sure you have a bankroll and stick to just that amount. Make the decision when you are still on neutral ground too.  If you playing online, it may be a bit more difficult to say no, but you have to do it. You don’t want to lose more than you can afford.

Playing any gambling game is about being smart. It’s about understanding that you want to have fun, but balancing it out with being wise.  Make sure you watch yourself and put planning first. That way when you get to the casino, you can relax and play knowing that you aren’t going to go overboard with wagers.

The thrill of getting casino-level entertainment delivered to your home is an exciting one!  Online casinos are easy to access. They offer instant accessibility with no long drive or waiting in lines. Many slots players are opting for online casinos rather than visiting their land-based casino for gambling. It’s a trend that seems to be consistently growing throughout the world.

Despite the convenience, there are some aspects to an online casino that can make them dangerous. In fact, the very fact that they are so convenient can be too difficult for some people to handle.  There’s instant gratification at an online slots parlor—you log in, start up your account, fund it, and then playing for extended periods of time is a click of a mouse away. It’s hard to not become enamored with the simplicity.  Add to it the fact that you can sit on your couch in your pajamas playing and it’s only a matter of time before you sink into its convenience.

The danger however, comes in with a certain type of player. There are players who are just prone to addictions and may see the convenience as a door to a serious issue.  Lisa Voeller, an addiction counselor at Lutheran Social Services stated, “There is a saturation point with that. People can only drink or drug so long before they get sick, pass out, but with gambling, people can go for days. And particularly with online gambling this is true.”

Voeller is speaking for those who may fall into addictions. Though she does not decry the legalization of gambling as a whole, she does want society to be cognizant of what legalizing online slots truly means. It means that people who may be prone to addictions may be in greater harm.

A new topic cropping up for online slot parlors is “responsible gaming.”  Responsible gaming includes providing information and resources for gamblers. It includes posting 800-help lines, giving gamblers limitation options when wagering, or setting limits on their total wager amounts. Many online casinos are putting these tools into place and many more will surely be joining in. As the move is made to legalize slots and online gambling, casinos and virtual casino both have a responsibility. Just like a bartender who cuts off a drinker, casinos have safeguards to monitor gamblers.