Gamblers decision making different than non gamblers

In a new German study , researchers from Cologne University examined the behavior of regular gamblers. The researchers found that the ways of making decisions in gambling are designed differently by regular gamblers than by non-gamblers.

The scientists Professor Dr. Jan Peters and Dr. Antonius Wiehler concluded that gamblers were more likely to rely on proven strategies to maximize profits than on new methods that could produce better results.

Course of the study

According to the researchers, 46 men took part in the study, half of whom played in an online casino frequently. The comparison group consisted of non-gamers.

The test subjects had to choose between tried and tested strategies and new game options. The aim was to try to win as much as possible. During the game, activities were measured in the regions of the brain that are responsible for planning actions and processing reward stimuli.

The players had to decide which style of play was most promising. 

The players were asked to perform a so-called “four-armed bandit task” on a device that is similar to the slot machine.

The participants had the choice between several strategies with different chances of winning, which changed.

The players had to choose between two options. The first option was the one that produced the highest profit last, the second option had a more uncertain profit outlook. The experts referred to the latter as “targeted exploration”.

The two comparison groups generated similarly high profits. They also both showed targeted exploration. However, this was more pronounced in the group of non-players than in the players.

The experts concluded that gamers were less likely to adapt to changing conditions and more relied on best practice. Non-gamers, on the other hand, were more open to new methods that promise more success. Targeted exploration is more pronounced with them.

The important role of the neurotransmitter dopamine

Disorders in gaming behavior affect less than 1% of the population, the scientists explained. As a rule, men are more affected than women. Experts suspect that the dopamine system changes in this disorder. This was also found in other addictions.

Said neurotransmitter is important for planning and controlling the action. If there are disruptions in this system, the strategic learning processes could be influenced.

Professor Dr. Jan Peters, one of the leaders of the study, comments:

One of the reasons why gambling disorder is of great scientific interest is that it is a dependency disorder that is not associated with a specific substance.

Earlier studies at Cologne University had already indicated that the increase in dopamine levels had a similar effect on the behavior of healthy test subjects.

However, the connection between the reduction in dopamine and targeted exploration needs to be investigated more closely, explains Dr. Antonius Wiehler.

In addition, it must be clarified whether the change in the dopamine level is a result of regular gambling or whether this could be the cause of gambling addiction.