A slot is an opening or groove in something, such as a door or a mail slot. The word can also refer to an area in a computer screen where information is displayed.
For example, a computer screen might display the slots where you can click on a game to play it. A slot in a video game might show the number of free spins or jackpots you can earn for hitting certain combinations. This information helps players decide whether to continue playing or quit. A slot can also show the player’s current winning balance.
Unlike other gambling machines, which may require a lengthy wait to find out whether they have won or lost, slot machines offer immediate feedback (Griffiths & Parke, 2005; Haas & Edworthy, 1996). Further, the timing of wins and losses on these devices is unpredictable. Consequently, the player’s behavior is often characterized by a high level of emotional intensity (e.g., agitation, anger, frustration, and depression).
In the 1960s, Bally Manufacturing Co. introduced the first fully electromechanical slot machine called Money Honey. It was similar to the old mechanical machines, but had a bottomless hopper and an electronic control system that allowed it to pay out more than 500 coins at a time. It was the first to allow players to start a spin by pressing a button instead of pulling a handle.
Dixon et al. (2009) reported that psychophysiological measures of reward reactivity (PRP and force as a function of win size) were positively correlated with enjoyment of slots and that these measures account for some aspects of slots enjoyment that are distinct from those attributable to dark flow. These results underscore the importance of considering multiple routes to slots enjoyment when studying these games.
