Slow music leads players to place more bets, while fast music accelerates decision-making

Norwegian researchers led by Rune Mentzoni conducted an experiment that revealed a non-obvious pattern. The tempo of music embedded in a gambling game can alter player behavior — and the participants themselves remain unaware of this influence. With a slow soundtrack, people placed more bets; with a fast one, they made decisions more rapidly but lost money more quickly.

The article, published in open access, attracted the attention of music psychology specialists. At first glance, sound accompaniment in slot machines and online casinos might seem like a decorative element. However, the study’s findings indicate that music functions as a hidden regulator capable of “stretching” or “compressing” a gaming session.

What science knew before this experiment

Interest in the connection between music and gambling spans several decades. From time to time, events even occur in which gambling and music merge into a single experience. However, the accumulated data remained contradictory. Some studies found that the presence of music helped players better track their own actions and sense of time. Without a musical background, memory of bets placed turned out to be worse.

Other studies recorded that a fast tempo accelerated the process of placing bets but did not lead to increased risk-taking. In other words, players acted faster but not more recklessly. This paradox became the starting point for the new experiment.

Cards, keys, and two soundtracks

Who participated and how the game was structured

The experiment involved 101 students, 72 of whom were women. Before the start, each participant completed a standardized assessment scale for possible signs of problem gambling, which allowed the researchers to exclude the influence of pre-existing behavioral patterns.

Participants played a computer card game called Superjack, built on the E Prime 2 platform. The task appeared simple: press one of four keys to select a card. Each attempt cost 3 Norwegian kroner (approximately $0.50), and the starting credit was 50 kroner (approximately $9). A key detail was that the music did not play as background ambience but was an integral part of the gameplay. Half of the participants heard a fast soundtrack; the other half heard a slow one.

The reward system

The rules of Superjack provided for several levels of reward:

• A Queen, King, or Ace earned 3 kroner (≈ $0.50)
• A Jack of any suit awarded 20 kroner (≈ $3.50)
• A Joker meant a win of 100 kroner (≈ $18)
• The special SuperJack card brought 250 kroner (≈ $44.50)
• Two SuperJack cards in a row awarded 850 kroner (≈ $151)
• Any other card left the player with no winnings

The researchers recorded reaction time, the number and volume of bets, and at the end of the game asked participants to rate their enjoyment of the process.

A slow rhythm extends the session; a fast one drains the wallet

The results confirmed only part of the expectations. Participants in the fast soundtrack group did indeed react more quickly. However, it was the slow music group that placed more bets. This effect echoes findings from the restaurant industry, where slow music encourages guests to spend more time at the table and spend more money.

How music is used in virtual gambling entertainment

Virtual gambling games are no exception to this pattern. Live casino environments, where a host manages the process in real time, actively use sound design to create the desired atmosphere.

Several reviewers analyzing live formats have drawn attention to this aspect. In particular, while studying materials about live shows from Evolution, a detailed breakdown of sound design was found at visit this site lightning-storm-game.com alongside a review of the game Lightning Storm. According to expert observations, in live casino settings background music proves just as effective as in land-based venues.

The soundtrack tempo in slots, card games, and host-led shows operates according to similar principles: slow compositions hold attention, while fast ones push players toward impulsive actions. This further confirms that sound design in gambling has long ceased to be mere decoration.

At the same time, the subjective enjoyment ratings did not differ between the groups. Music tempo influenced behavior but not emotional response. Players did not notice that their actions were being shaped by the sound accompaniment.

Why the findings matter beyond the laboratory

The authors emphasize the practical implications of the results. Understanding how external factors modify gambling behavior can be valuable in developing problem gambling prevention programs. Training in self-control and self-monitoring skills becomes especially relevant when the environment can subtly govern the pace of decision-making.

An intriguing question remains open: does the influence of music persist if a player is warned in advance about its potential effect? Awareness of the manipulation could theoretically weaken it, but experimental confirmation is not yet available. This gap may well serve as the foundation for the next stage of research.