Do problem gamblers see a different game? Segmentation, binding, and the illusion of near-wins

Problem gamblers often hold cognitive distortions that shape their gambling behaviour. This talk proposes a new idea: through repeated gambling, problem gamblers develop a distorted cognitive map of slot machine outcomes. Segmentation and binding processes have warped this cognitive map, causing problem gamblers to overvalue gambling outcomes that merely resemble wins.

To investigate this idea, we used eye-tracking technology to study the attention patterns of 36 participants (non-gamblers, recreational gamblers, and those who gamble excessively) while they viewed images of slot machine results. These images showed wins, near-wins, and losses. As expected, images of wins drew the most attention across all groups. However, those who gamble excessively showed a unique pattern: they paid significantly more attention to near-wins than losses. This bias was absent in the other groups.

These findings suggest that excessive gamblers have developed a flawed mental model of slot machine outcomes. This happens through two processes: segmentation, where gamblers overemphasise the importance of winning elements within outcomes that resemble wins, and binding, where gamblers link near-wins to the emotional payoff of real wins. This distorted cognitive map encourages persistent gambling by making near-wins a rewarding signal that a real win is just around the corner, even when it is not.