The Relationship Between Music and Gambling
Music and gambling have always gone hand in hand. Whether it be songs made about casinos, gamblers, gambling, or even Sin City itself, Las Vegas, there has been an understanding that the music industry has had a huge influence on the gambling industry. But, just how far does the relationship between music and gambling extend?
In this article, we would like to explore how casinos use music to their advantage, how music affects gambling behavior, and whether certain musical genres are more effective than others when it comes to influencing said behavior. Without further ado, let us get into the meat and potatoes of the relationship between music and gambling.
Does Music Affect Gamblers?
A lot of research has gone into the relationship between music and gambling. And most of it has found that certain music does, indeed, affect gambling behavior differently. Casinos have found that when gamblers are listening to upbeat melodies, they are much more likely to take risks, then if they were listening to more melancholic or slow music.
For this reason, casinos frequently play upbeat, bubblegum pop, or some kind of rock music. However, they need to strike a clever balance between upbeat and playful, and over-the-top. In fact, studies have found that if music is too aggressive or over-the-top, players might focus on it too much, and walk away from the table all together.
Of course, none of this is a problem if you frequent online casinos. What makes these websites great is not just that you can pick any of the classic games you’ve grown to love; but also that you can control your own environment. If you are a big fan of blackjack, and you are studying the best blackjack strategy for example, you might want to be 100% focused on what you are doing. If that is the case, you would put on slow music, or maybe even forego music at all.
On the other hand, some people might enjoy the upbeat music that most casinos rely on. In that case, attending land-based gambling halls is probably your best bet. However, you should, at least, be aware that the music being played is affecting your decision making and behavior.
What Music Affects Gambling Behavior?
In truth, all music has an effect on our gambling. The questions asked should be “in what way?” and “to what degree?” Different genres have a different effect on our gambling behavior. To better understand the phenomenon, we have to understand what genres affect gamblers the most and in what way.
Techno
Techno is one of the more popular music genres today. Rave parties where electronic music blasts through the speakers are a big draw in urban areas. Naturally, casinos have taken advantage of the recent techno boom, and have done quite a bit of research into how it affects gambling.
Studies show that when people are listening to techno, they are much more likely to take risks that they would not normally take. The fast-paced, upbeat music gets our blood pumping, and we feel like we can take on the world. So, if you hear techno when frequenting a casino, don’t be too surprised.
Rock
When we talk about rock, we are talking about a diverse genre of music. Rock covers everything from Elvis Presley, to The Beatles, to AC/DC, and even metal acts like Motorhead, Judas Priest, and Metallica. But, just how popular is the music genre in gambling halls?
Well, it all depends on the genre. Though it is very popular, you are not likely to hear very much alternative rock in most casinos. The same can be said for more hardcore metal acts like Death, Morbid Angel, or Kreator, for example.
However, hard rock and bluesy old-school rock are a staple of the gambling world. AC/DC and Motorhead are basically synonymous with gambling music. You are also likely to hear Guns’n’Roses, Motley Crue, and even some of the later, softer Metallica songs.
Pop
The term pop music literally means “popular.” So, you shouldn’t be surprised to hear most of the popular music acts when you are visiting a casino. After all, a business wants to draw as many people in as possible. And a part of that is playing the music that the most amount of people enjoys. Pop, in this case, fits the bill perfectly.