Make: Online : Ontario removes video slot machines over subliminal messaging

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CBC has a story about slot machines getting pulled (no pun intended) over subliminal messaging - seems like it would be a fun experiment to try, winning and losing symbols...

Ontario's provincial gambling operator has pulled 87 video slot machines out of service or physically removed them from its casinos after a CBC investigation found what appear to be subliminal messages flashing at players.
Ontario Lottery and Gaming, the recently rebranded Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., is concerned about three games on video slots made by a company called Konami. It shut them down as a precaution on Friday, and is looking into the issue.

Every time this video lottery game is played, it briefly shows a jackpot result. Every time this video lottery game is played, it briefly shows a jackpot result.

The games flash winning jackpot symbols at players for a fifth of a second, long enough for the brain to detect even if the players are not aware of the message, some psychologists told CBC News.

Ontario removes video slot machines flashing winning images - [via] Link.

I'm tossing this in "News from the Future" - if it really works surely every other video slots maker (and casino) will try this and claim it's a "software glitch"...

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Posted by: rich.thomas on February 27, 2007 at 12:27 PM

So I keep getting these messages on my computer that I have won a lottery from Spain or Nigeria or somewhere -- is someone going to come get my computer?

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Posted by: morcheeba on February 27, 2007 at 1:48 PM

I wouldn't consider this a bug, but a feature.

Because I look at the statistics only, gambling doesn't appeal to me as a form of making money... if anything, it's a form of entertainment. Watching the wheels go round and round isn't too exciting, so I think any way to liven it up would be a plus. People might unnecessarily get their hopes up that they will win, but isn't that the whole point of gambling?

As long as the machine pays out correctly, I would consider them fully functional.

Posted by: yo_tyler on February 27, 2007 at 4:30 PM

They probably pulled them for fear of claims that they could lead to, or encourage, gambling addiction. In Canada, and probably in the US as well, the gambling corporations have to operate a gambling support program as well. Since it's cheaper to never get someone as a customer rather than supporting a problem gambler, it's also a financial decision.