You’re an iGaming enthusiast, whether a novice or an experienced punter. You have some free time where you’d like to blow off some steam. As you’re casually scrolling through the iGaming platform of your choice, a flashy message comes forth on your screen: “30 Free Spins, no deposit required!”. The first thought that comes to mind is that maybe this deal is too good to be true. On second thought, as an avid punter, something deep within you urges you to take that leap of faith. “Maybe this is worth trying,” you think, and just like that, you’re hooked and you don’t even know. What follows is an intricately laid out process that has been creatively planned by online gaming operators.
Take an offer like the Vulkan Vegas 50 free spins, for instance. While highly valuable to you as the gamer, this represents a classic example of how these platforms lure us with the promise of “free” treasure. While the logic part of your brain senses that this is a classic bait tactic, the curious part of it will always want to test the waters. Let’s explain how it works.
It’s All in Your Head
Let’s take it back to the days when brick-and-mortar establishments in Macau or prime Vegas were thriving. The competitive spirit in these establishments was so high that they pulled out all the stops to ensure that gamers came in and stuck around. They did this through methods like offering free drinks to keep the players glued to the table. In the post-pandemic scene, where online casinos are thriving, the freebies have evolved into messages like “20 Free Spins”. This method has proven to be just as effective as the giveaway drinks tactic.
The premise behind why this concept works is that, for you as a gamer, it feels like you are getting something for nothing. At the surface level, it may seem like the financial aspect of the deal is what makes it attractive to many gamers. But when you introspectively analyze it, you’ll see that these complementary turns light up the idea of easy gains. Your brain knows it is improbable to win without spending a dime. It, however, wants to believe that a chance exists, however minute it might be.
The Psychological Tricks Spurring iGaming Freebies
Casinos employ digital creatives who design everything to keep you chasing the next hit, which in turn translates to more money into their pockets. To do so, they implement some vital psychological tricks as follows:
The concept is to rope you in for the long haul: It is a similar construct to what happens in supermarkets when you grab a free sample. When you do this, your thinking usually is you’re just doing it cause it doesn’t cost you anything. This is the same as when you see the “50 bonus rounds” headline at your favorite online casino. Casinos leverage this and package these offers as gifts, and when you try them out, you are unknowingly getting invited to the real versions of the game, where you will spend real money.
Hooked to the dopamine rush of the spin: Immediately, you hit that spin button, something within you is triggered, and you feel a rush of excitement. Even if that spin doesn’t result in a win, or a jackpot for that matter, the iGaming sites have achieved the objective of having you hooked, which means that you’ll likely come back for more.
The illusion of “Just one more”: More often than not, you’ll go through these complimentary rounds without bagging significant victories. Yet, instead of the losses discouraging you, you feel as if you’ve got one more shot to go till you win. As we mentioned before, these sites will design everything to make it so that you can keep playing and chase that elusive win.
The Illusion of Control
The hard truth is that most of these online casino games are arbitrary in nature. You won’t have control over so many aspects of things, even with the illusion of bonus rounds. However, when you place wagers yourself, choose paylines, and press that spin button, you have an illusion of control. It convinces you that the outcomes are hinged on your smartness and ability to maneuver aspects of the game, and not necessarily luck.
So, What’s the Verdict on These Bonus Plays?
The truth is, these freebies are great for the iGaming industry, both for the gamer and the casinos. For punters, you can use them to practice for the real versions of the games you love. On the other end of the spectrum, casinos can use them to draw in more customers who can then stay for the long haul. Even as the player utilizes them, it is good to acquaint oneself with what happens behind the curtains. The moment you are aware of the psychological games at play, you’ll make more informed choices when gaming.
