By Frank Scoblete

Roulette is a game with an amazing number of bets. These bets are all about the numbers, their colors, the types of numbers they are, where those numbers exist in conceptual terms (such as high/low, columns and such). It is a game where you can get lost in the numbers. You can also lose your money.

Players can find themselves swamped with bets and swamped with losses on those bets. The more bets a player makes the more you have a chance to win those bets but the more (the very, very more) chance you have of taking a beating.

In the world of gambling, less is best for the player. That is a good dictum to remember.

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By Frank Scoblete

In the casinos, there are two things that are directly after you. You certainly know one of them. That’s the house edge. More, that’s the house edge in every game and almost every moment in every game. It waits for you and it wants to take you down. You know that or, at the very least, you should know that.

The casino has created a house edge that all players must go up against almost all the time in every game. That house edge undoes us almost all the time too. Certainly the longer we play, the more likely we will be behind. I know that, you know that, and almost all casino players must know that. It is a general rule we must fight against.

Indeed, we can learn the best strategies for whatever games we wish to play. Some of these strategies can be sophisticated and somewhat tough to learn, as the computer-derived basic strategy in blackjack can be. Or some strategies may be simple, as in just knowing what slot machines have a better chance of returning more money to us over time. (The non-progressives!)

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What are slot bonus rounds?

You’ll hear them referenced wherever you decide to play your favourite online casino games. Slot bonus rounds are basically a mechanism that allow the potential for bigger and better payouts.

They differ depending on the game you’re playing in terms of their design, how they play out and their associated payout. One thing is for sure, if you’re playing slots online, you want to get to the bonus round.

Volatility is one of the most influential factors when it comes to understanding how slot bonuses work. Volatility is intrinsically linked to the return to player (RTP) rate of a given game.

For example, a high volatility slot game is one that has a low payout frequency. However, when a winning spin is landed, the payout is better than a low volatility game. Be sure to play with the best slot sites for the most choice and variety.

Slot bonus rounds for low volatility games offer a more regular payout frequency (generally over 96% RTP) but at a lower rate. This will also apply to the bonus rounds for the particular game you’re playing.

Now that we’ve answered the “what are slot bonus rounds”? question, it’s time to look at how you trigger them.

What triggers bonus rounds for online slots?

The most common way to trigger slot bonus features is to land matching symbols on an active payline. What these symbols are will differ depending on the game that you are playing.

While matching some symbols will trigger an immediate payout to your account, others are specifically designed to start the bonus round. This will be made clear to you by a key indicating the bonus symbols while the game is open.

It’s important to note that the size of the stakes that you place on a slot game does not impact your chances. Only by covering more paylines will you increase your chances of winning, once you do this, the only thing that a higher stake will do is increase your potential winnings.

Some slot games will have what are known as scatter symbols. As the name suggests, these are scattered across the reels and can trigger a payout or bonus round with other symbols in the game.

Having scatter symbols on reels increases the chances of you landing a winning spin. On most slot games, the scatter symbols can appear anywhere on the reels and trigger a payout or the start of a bonus round.

Once slot bonus rounds are triggered, you’re offered the opportunity to win more cash. This typically comes in the form of a secondary game on which spins are not deducted from your regular balance.

With so many slot games to choose from, there are also lots of different slot bonus features. But what are they and how do they differ? Well, we’ll explain.

Types of slot bonus features

One of the great things about playing online slots is that there are so many bonus feature rounds. What kind you’ll get to play depends on the game that you choose, so consider this before loading up a slot.

Slot bonus rounds offer a great opportunity for you to increase your funds. They can also increase your chances of landing the jackpot prize for that particular game.

The majority of jackpot prizes on slot games are fixed at a specific sum. However, there is a very specific type of slot that offers a top prize that fluctuates over time.

These are known as progressive slots. They work by taking a portion of your stake per spin and putting it towards a pot, collated between all games on the same network.

As you continue to play, you’ll see the progressive jackpot prize increase. This continues to do so until it is eventually won by one single player.

This is one of the most popular slot bonus features and it’s not hard to see why. People have won life-changing amounts of money landing a progressive jackpot.

There are other ways to win big, however. These come via the bonus feature triggered within the game. Below are some of the most common.

Wilds bonus

Wilds are a feature that are incredibly useful for players. They work by essentially being able to substitute for any other symbol on the reels, except for scatter symbols.

What this does is increase your chances of landing a winning spin, as there is more opportunity for a winning combination to land on a payline.

Expanding wilds are particularly fruitful. If you land one wild, it will expand across all reels, again providing more opportunities for you to land a winning spin or reach the slot bonus rounds.

Multiplier bonus

A multiplier is another bonus type that can be incredibly lucrative. The name is pretty self explanatory, but it works by multiplying your winnings by a certain amount.

Generally, you’ll find that the multiplier rate varies between anything up 100x the original payouts. Some slot games go even further, and you can some that offer 1,000x the original payout.

The amount that the multiplier offers depends completely on the game. If you’re looking to win big, it’s definitely worth checking that there are multiplier slot bonus features and, if so, what the max multiplier is.

Free spins bonus

Free spins are probably a player’s favourite when it comes to slot bonus rounds. Fortunately, they’re also one of the most frequently handed out bonuses when playing online slot games.

Casinos also tend to be quite generous in the amount of free spins that they give out. Generally, they’ll come in a collection of 20, 30, 50 or even 100 free spins.

Each free spin is a new opportunity to win and potentially hit the jackpot. All of this without taking a penny from your available funds. This is what makes it one of the best slot bonus features out there.

Sometimes, you may even bag additional free spins. This, in turn, provides even more opportunity to land a big win. If you get free spins when playing slots, make sure you use them.

Picking bonus

Another appropriately-named bonus feature that is popular with online slot games. Picking bonuses are usually triggered by lining up the required symbols on the reels.

A secondary window pops up and you’re offered the chance to make a selection from various options. You cannot see what is behind the choices, so this is a blind pick.

You are then credited with whatever prize is hidden behind your selection. Depending on the game you play, this prize will be predetermined, or will actually be random based on what you select.

Picking bonuses are popular because they give players a sense of control over the outcome. Even if that isn’t the case and the result is indeed predetermined, the ability to “choose” something is appealing.

Spin the wheel bonus

Another great bonus feature that is common on slot games is a ‘spin the wheel’ style bonus round. When triggered, a new window will pop up with a wheel displaying various prizes.

You are prompted to begin the spin of the wheel and are awarded whichever prize the wheel lands on. Occasionally, this feature will offer another spin of the wheel, giving more chances to win.

This is truly one of the most random slot bonus rounds that you can play. You simply have to spin the wheel and accept whatever it lands on, similar to the style of the reels of the original slot game.

Can players influence the frequency of bonus rounds?

Ultimately, there is nothing that you can do that would increase, or decrease, the frequency at which bonus rounds occur. These features are either set or subject to a random number generator (RNG) software.

As we’ve already covered, the size of your bets have no effect in this respect. You could stake $50 and not get to a bonus round. You could equally stake $5 and hit the game’s jackpot.

Playing for lengthy periods of time will not have an impact either. While you may get plenty of opportunities to reach the bonus round, you will ultimately have to stake a lot more.

This puts you at risk of losing significant sums of money. So, bear this in mind when you go chasing slot bonus rounds the next time you play online.

Making the most of slot bonus rounds

Once you actually get to the bonus round, you obviously want to win. That’s why it’s important to implement some strategies to increase your chances of success.

A top strategy for making the most of slot bonus features is to maximise the potential of free spins. Focussing on triggering free spins is a good tactic to significantly increase your chances of winning.

You should prioritise slot games that offer cascading reels and expanding wilds. These two features are key in boosting your overall payout.

It’s also wise to choose slot games that offer a high return to player (RTP) rate. This will, in turn, increase your chances of winning when you do trigger slot bonus rounds.

Understanding the mechanics of the bonus round is also vitally important. If you’re unsure how a game will play, try a free demo version first and play until you reach the bonus round to try it out before you bet with real cash.

Bankroll management is imperative if you are to maximise your online slots experience. Not only in the slot bonus features, but in the regular gameplay also.

Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to taking advantage of the many great bonuses on offer.

Conclusion

So, now you know the answer to the question “what are slot bonus rounds?” This understanding will give you a head start in your online slots journey.

We’ve also outlined the triggers for bonus rounds which are mainly to get matching symbols on a payline. This can also be supported by scattered symbols and wilds, which greatly increase your chances of triggering the bonus feature.

The many types of slot bonus on offer also further enhance your experience. Free spins are definitely the most common type of bonus that you’ll receive, so be sure to make the most of these when they occur.

It’s important to remember that you cannot influence the frequency that bonus rounds occur. These happen randomly and are not linked to the amount you stake or the length of time that you play the game.

When you do reach a bonus round, be sure to follow our tips to make the most of it. Understanding how the bonus feature is triggered and ultimately won will help you choose the game that is right for you.

All of this will help to ensure that you get the best possible experience when you reach slot bonus rounds. So, load up your favourite slot game and get spinning. Good luck!

As times evolve, so have slots, and as new ideas take hold, you see them proliferate across games on the casino floor. One element that has become particularly prevalent in recent years is the concept of Perceived Persistence. The term has been a constant buzzword at industry events like the Global Gaming Expo, but if you’re a regular casino visitor you may have no idea what it’s about.

So let’s define the term, understand why it exists and most importantly, why this matters to you as a player.

Defining Perceived Persistence

To start, we need to understand what “persistence” is to begin with. The concept of persistence isn’t new – it’s an element on a slot machine that remains beyond a single session. Historically, when you cash out of a slot, the game is basically ready for the next player, with nothing left over from the previous player.

Persistence adds an element that does persist (hence the term) after a session ends. Persistence exists in two forms:

• True persistence is an element that has some value, sometimes called equity, to a player in that it’s a value that can be unlocked. This can be elements like the collecting of borders on Scarab, the free game counters on games with progressive free games, and so on. There’s value to what’s been left by the last player.
• Perceived persistence, on the other hand, is an element that evolves as players play, persists beyond the session, but offers no value or equity. This includes the various pots, bags, gold fish, and so on that grow on the screen and pop when a bonus is triggered, but offer no information or value to a bonus, such as if a bonus is near or how much a bonus will pay.

So, persistence sticks around, but whether it adds actual value or not depends on the element.

The Success of Perceived Persistence

Perceived persistence elements started out pretty simply, with games like 88 Fortunes and Dancing Drums featuring a pot that slowly filled with coins as wilds came out. At some point, the pot would close, indicating a bonus.

But perceived persistence really took off with the launch of Fu Dai Lian Lian, which some players have nicknamed “The Bag Game” because of the three bags that sit above the reels. Each bag represents a bonus upgrade, and multiple bags can spin around at once, meaning multiple upgrades for the bonus.

These, too, are perceived persistence; the size of the bags don’t indicate how close you are to a bonus. But the connection to the various upgrades, and the fact that there are three of them, creates a lot more activity on the slot than before, and has proven to be a success.

Games with perceived persistence are placing consistently among the top games found in casinos today. So are ones with multiple pots, a trend we’ve seen for a few years now.
Why Perceived Persistence?
Players sometimes ask me why slot makers would put objects on the screen that don’t actually contribute to anything. The reason is pretty simple – it helps balance games out as volatility increases.

Players have shown they want bigger bonuses and wins. They want a chance at something spectacular. But often this means pulling money from line hits and pushing bonuses out to be less frequent to make this possible.

These growing items on the screen, and the various zapping and coin flying and other animations that go along with this, create movement and activity on the screen that would otherwise often be spins with nothing else happening. This creates the impression that something is happening, and that you’re building to something.

There are a lot of people who fall for this and think they’re getting closer. Others keep going because it’s been so long without a bonus when the coins are overflowing or the fish are cracking their bowls that a bonus must be due, right? But the chances of bonus on the next spin are no better than the last one.
Takeaway
Psychologically, the pot games are effective, as seen by their success on casino floors. And even casino employees get fooled – I had to show a host the line on the pay table that confirmed the Dancing Drums pot’s fullness was not an indicator of how close a bonus was – he had no idea.

Neither do many players, and so the perceived persistence elements draw players in, keep them playing, and lead slot makers to make more of them – it simply works.

There are certainly games that don’t have this – you don’t tend to see this sort of mechanic on most link-style games. But this class of game, given its recent popularity, isn’t going anywhere for a long time.

Josh O’Connell is VP of Product Development at BC Ventures, and is editor and head writer at FlipTheSwitch.com. Josh has been writing about slots for five years, and has become a trusted source of information for players curious about how slots work.

As times evolve, so have slots, and as new ideas take hold, you see them proliferate across games on the casino floor. One element that has become particularly prevalent in recent years is the concept of Perceived Persistence. The term has been a constant buzzword at industry events like the Global Gaming Expo, but if you’re a regular casino visitor you may have no idea what it’s about.

So let’s define the term, understand why it exists and most importantly, why this matters to you as a player.

Defining Perceived Persistence

To start, we need to understand what “persistence” is to begin with. The concept of persistence isn’t new – it’s an element on a slot machine that remains beyond a single session. Historically, when you cash out of a slot, the game is basically ready for the next player, with nothing left over from the previous player.

Persistence adds an element that does persist (hence the term) after a session ends. Persistence exists in two forms:

• True persistence is an element that has some value, sometimes called equity, to a player in that it’s a value that can be unlocked. This can be elements like the collecting of borders on Scarab, the free game counters on games with progressive free games, and so on. There’s value to what’s been left by the last player.
• Perceived persistence, on the other hand, is an element that evolves as players play, persists beyond the session, but offers no value or equity. This includes the various pots, bags, gold fish, and so on that grow on the screen and pop when a bonus is triggered, but offer no information or value to a bonus, such as if a bonus is near or how much a bonus will pay.

So, persistence sticks around, but whether it adds actual value or not depends on the element.

The Success of Perceived Persistence

Perceived persistence elements started out pretty simply, with games like 88 Fortunes and Dancing Drums featuring a pot that slowly filled with coins as wilds came out. At some point, the pot would close, indicating a bonus.

But perceived persistence really took off with the launch of Fu Dai Lian Lian, which some players have nicknamed “The Bag Game” because of the three bags that sit above the reels. Each bag represents a bonus upgrade, and multiple bags can spin around at once, meaning multiple upgrades for the bonus.

These, too, are perceived persistence; the size of the bags don’t indicate how close you are to a bonus. But the connection to the various upgrades, and the fact that there are three of them, creates a lot more activity on the slot than before, and has proven to be a success.

Games with perceived persistence are placing consistently among the top games found in casinos today. So are ones with multiple pots, a trend we’ve seen for a few years now.
Why Perceived Persistence?
Players sometimes ask me why slot makers would put objects on the screen that don’t actually contribute to anything. The reason is pretty simple – it helps balance games out as volatility increases.

Players have shown they want bigger bonuses and wins. They want a chance at something spectacular. But often this means pulling money from line hits and pushing bonuses out to be less frequent to make this possible.

These growing items on the screen, and the various zapping and coin flying and other animations that go along with this, create movement and activity on the screen that would otherwise often be spins with nothing else happening. This creates the impression that something is happening, and that you’re building to something.

There are a lot of people who fall for this and think they’re getting closer. Others keep going because it’s been so long without a bonus when the coins are overflowing or the fish are cracking their bowls that a bonus must be due, right? But the chances of bonus on the next spin are no better than the last one.
Takeaway
Psychologically, the pot games are effective, as seen by their success on casino floors. And even casino employees get fooled – I had to show a host the line on the pay table that confirmed the Dancing Drums pot’s fullness was not an indicator of how close a bonus was – he had no idea.

Neither do many players, and so the perceived persistence elements draw players in, keep them playing, and lead slot makers to make more of them – it simply works.

There are certainly games that don’t have this – you don’t tend to see this sort of mechanic on most link-style games. But this class of game, given its recent popularity, isn’t going anywhere for a long time.

Josh O’Connell is VP of Product Development at BC Ventures, and is editor and head writer at FlipTheSwitch.com. Josh has been writing about slots for five years, and has become a trusted source of information for players curious about how slots work.

What is responsible gambling?

It’s a phrase that you’ll no doubt have seen if you’ve participated in any form of gambling in the past, especially online. The premise of gambling responsibly on slots and other casino games has become much more prevalent over the last decade, as online casinos have become more and more popular.

While the ability to play your favourite casino games on your mobile device has made gambling so much more accessible, it has also presented a serious risk to those susceptible to problem gambling. While there is always an element of risk associated with punting online, it can and should be done responsibly.

Responsible gambling is broadly defined as betting in a way that doesn’t put you at risk. This is predominantly financial-based and means ensuring you do not bet more than you can afford to lose. It can, however, have a significant effect on your mental health if not properly practised.

That is why it’s vital to ensure that online slot safety is at the top of your list of priorities when you are looking to play at the best slot sites.

Tips for gambling responsibly on slots

If responsible gambling isn’t exercised, you could end up chasing losses on slots and that’s not something you should be doing. It’s always important to bet within your means and this includes having a budget for your slots play and knowing when to stop.

Gambling should be an activity that is fun and, when it stops being fun, that’s when you need to walk away. It should never be used as a means to make money or a way to quickly increase your bank balance.

The saying “the house always wins” exists for a reason and, over the long term, that is almost always the case. View gambling as a once in a while, fun thing to do and you’ll be on the right path to gambling in a responsible manner.

There’s a lot of information out there though and ‘responsible gambling’ is quite a broad term. That’s why we’ve compiled some of our top tips for gambling responsibly on slots below.

Decide on a slot budget

Our first top tip is to set a slot budget before you begin playing and sticking to it. This can be as small, or as large, as you’re comfortable with.

The main thing is that you actually stick to it. If you reach your spending limit for that session, you should then close the game and logout of your online casino account.

It’s a common mistake to set a really low budget and this should only apply if you’re used to playing very small stake spins. It’s important that your budget is set at a realistic target relative to your average game play.

For instance, if you regularly bet $50 in a given session playing online slots, then it’s highly unlikely that you’ll stick to a slot budget of $10. So, keep this in mind and even review your past gameplay to get an idea of your average spends.

Once you know what this is, make a note of your slot budget and make sure that you stick to it each time you play. Over time, this will give you a much better chance of being in profit than just playing looking for a big win.

Establish time limits

In addition to your slot budget, you should also establish some time limits on your gameplay. This will help you to avoid chasing losses and continue gambling responsibly on slots if you can stick to it.

A big mistake players make when playing online slots is that they think that the longer they play, the better their chances of winning. This isn’t the case, and never will be.

It’s true that the return to player (RTP) rate of online slots is high, mostly in the high 90-percentile, but long term that means you lose money. Slots are effectively designed to slowly chip away at your funds, giving you some back from time to time to make you feel like you’re winning.

The reality is, however, that even when you win, oftentimes you actually still lose. For instance, if a total stake on a spin is $5 but you “win” $3.50 back, you’ve still lost $1.50.

Over a period of time, this will slowly drain your gambling funds and, only if you’re lucky enough to hit a jackpot, will you be able to avoid this. This is the cornerstone of online slot safety.

So, to ensure you don’t overdo it, you should incorporate our first tip of setting a slot budget, with our second tip of establishing a time limit on your play. These will help to ensure you continue gambling responsibly on slots.

Avoid chasing losses on slots

One fundamental mistake that players make is chasing losses on slots. As we’ve already outlined, the longer you play, the more chance there is of you losing. So, it doesn’t make sense to chase losses.

Slots are cleverly designed to lure players into a false sense of security. They’re very good at making you feel like a big win is coming, in order to motivate you to continue playing.

While it’s not impossible that this may happen, there’s no guarantee it will. This creates a great deal of risk if your sole reason for playing slots is to make money quickly and easily.

Online slots rely on a player’s mentality to tell themselves that a big winning spin is “due” or must happen at some point. The fact is that these events are completely random, decided by random number generator (RNG) software.

You could win big on back-to-back spins. You could equally not win anything for 20 consecutive spins. This randomness is the main reason that chasing losses on slots will only result in you losing more money in the long term.

So, to ensure that you keep on gambling responsibly on slots, you should avoid chasing losses. You should do this, along with the other tips we have provided here, to give you the best possible online slots experience.

Slot self-exclusion and other responsible gambling tools

If you’re losing too much money, or you feel you may have a problem with your gambling habits, then a slot self-exclusion could be an option.

Every reputable online casino will offer players multiple tools to ensure that they are gambling responsibly on slots and any other games that they offer.

Generally, you’ll find these tools in your account section, under the ‘responsible gambling’ header. This is where you can choose which responsible gambling tool is most suited to your needs.

One of the most popular tools that players use is setting up deposit limits on the account. This tool allows you to set a deposit amount limit and the timeframe for which the limit applies.

For example, you could set a $100 deposit limit that can be applied per day, per week or per month. Once you reach this limit, you must wait for the designated time period to expire before your limit resets.

This is a great way to ensure you stay within your slot budget. As is the loss limit tool, which works in a similar way. You set the limit for your losses for a given period and once reached, you’re blocked from playing until the limit resets.

A more permanent measure that you can take is to implement a slot self-exclusion. A self-exclusion is a notice from you to your online casino that you effectively wish for them to block you from being able to deposit and play on their site.

Self-exclusions can be set for a period of 6 months up to 5 years. Once the time has passed, you must also go through a process to remove the exclusion from your account.

However, this cannot be done any earlier than the time frame that you have decided when setting up the slot self-exclusion. So, keep that mind if you’re looking to use this particular tool.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s important that gambling on slots responsibly is at the forefront of your mind when you play online. This will help to protect you from losing money or developing a gambling problem.

We’ve provided these top tips to help you along your way. This will also help to ensure that you have fun when gambling and maintain a healthy relationship with it.

By using things like a slot budget and implementing time and other limits on your account, you can stay fully in control. Over a longer period of time, this will save you money and help prevent you chasing losses on slots.

If things get out of control, you can always implement a slot self-exclusion on your account. This will block you playing slots or any other games and will also prevent you from depositing into your account.

Using these tips when you play online will go a long way to ensuring that you are gambling responsibly on slots. So, stick to them and keep online slot safety in mind when you play at your favourite casino.

Imagine deciding on a high-stakes bet on an empty stomach. Surprisingly, the outcome might not just hinge on luck or strategy but also on the state of your gut. The brain’s role in gambling addiction has been well studied, but recent studies suggest a fascinating link between our gut health—specifically, the hormones and bacteria within—and our gambling behaviours.

One hormone, ghrelin, known for signalling hunger, may also fuel our risk-taking impulses, potentially leading us to gamble more persistently. Meanwhile, the balance of our gut microbiome, influenced by probiotics, might sway our decision-making towards caution. This post delves into the emerging science behind the gut-brain-gambling connection, exploring how what’s in our gut could impact what’s in our wallet.

The Hunger Game: Ghrelin and Gambling

The intricate relationship between our physiological states and gambling behaviour is compellingly illustrated in the study conducted by Sztainert et al. (2018). This research delves into how ghrelin, a hormone that signals hunger, influences gambling decisions, particularly under conditions of loss. By examining individuals in a fasting state, which naturally elevates ghrelin levels, the study sheds light on the biological factors that may exacerbate gambling persistence.

Key findings from the study reveal that fasting not only increases ghrelin levels but also significantly impacts an individual’s propensity to continue gambling despite facing continuous losses. This correlation between elevated ghrelin levels and increased gambling persistence suggests a biological basis for risk-taking behaviour, with hunger signals potentially driving individuals toward making more daring decisions in gambling scenarios.

The study’s methodology involved exposing participants to gambling cues and measuring their ghrelin levels before and after the exposure. The results indicated a clear increase in ghrelin following gambling cues, especially among those who had fasted. Importantly, these elevated ghrelin levels were directly associated with a greater tendency to persist in gambling, underscoring the hormone’s role as a critical predictor of gambling behaviour in adverse conditions.

Through this research, Sztainert et al. (2018) contribute significantly to our understanding of the physiological influences on gambling behaviour. The findings highlight the complex interplay between biological signals like hunger and decision-making processes in gambling, suggesting that factors such as the timing of meals could influence gambling behaviours. This insight opens new avenues for exploring interventions and strategies to mitigate problematic gambling, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that considers both psychological and physiological aspects.

By presenting these findings, the study not only advances our knowledge of the biological underpinnings of gambling addiction but also prompts a re-evaluation of how we approach gambling behaviour interventions, recognizing the role of basic physiological states in influencing complex behaviours.

Probiotics and Decision-Making: Unveiling the Gut’s Influence on Gambling

The 2022 study by Aline M. Dantas et al. offers compelling evidence on how our gut microbiota, particularly through the administration of probiotics, can influence decision-making processes. This research underscores a significant link between probiotics and a decrease in risk-taking behaviour, alongside an enhanced capacity for future-oriented thinking. Such findings highlight the gut’s profound role in affecting cognitive functions that are crucial in gambling scenarios.

By focusing on the behavioural changes observed in participants consuming probiotics, the study sheds light on the intricate ways our gut health can sway our psychological tendencies. Instead of suggesting probiotics as a direct treatment for gambling disorders, the research points to a broader implication: our decision-making, especially in contexts involving risk and reward, like gambling, can be influenced by the state of our gut microbiota.

This connection aligns with previous findings on ghrelin’s role in gambling behaviour, further reinforcing the concept that both our dietary habits and the health of our gut microbiome can impact our cognitive biases and decision-making patterns. The study by Dantas et al. provides additional evidence that the gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in the complex interplay between physiological states and psychological behaviours.

In essence, the research enriches the ongoing discussion about the potential links between gut health and gambling, emphasizing the importance of considering the influence of our internal biological environment on behaviours traditionally viewed through a psychological lens. This perspective invites a more integrated approach to understanding the factors that drive gambling tendencies, suggesting that the pathway to influencing such behaviours may also lie within our gut.

A Gut Feeling: The Broad Impact of Gut Health

The comprehensive meta-analysis by Duvallet et al. offers a pivotal insight into the gut microbiome’s role in human health, underscoring its influence across a spectrum of diseases. Analysing data from 28 case-control studies covering ten diseases, the study reveals how gut microbiome dysbiosis is intricately linked with both specific and general health outcomes. This finding significantly broadens our understanding of gut health’s impact, illustrating that microbial imbalances can be associated with a wide array of conditions, from metabolic disorders and inflammatory diseases to neurological conditions.

This broader perspective on the gut microbiome’s systemic influence complements and deepens the discussion initiated by earlier sections of our article. The connection between specific hormones like ghrelin, as explored by Sztainert et al., and the behavioural impacts of probiotics, as discussed by Dantas et al., are contextualized within a larger framework of gut health. Duvallet et al.’s work underscores the microbiome’s potential role in influencing not just physical health but also complex behaviours and decision-making processes, offering a comprehensive view of how internal biological environments might influence our actions and choices.

In light of these findings, the gut microbiome emerges as a central player in the intricate web of factors that govern our health and behaviour. The meta-analysis not only reinforces the connection between gut health and various diseases but also suggests the microbiome’s significant, albeit complex, role in behavioural phenomena. This deepens our appreciation of the gut-brain axis and its implications for understanding human behaviour, setting the stage for further exploration of how this relationship might be leveraged to enhance both physical and psychological well-being.

The research presented thus far illuminates a complex relationship between gut health and gambling behaviours, highlighting how hormones like ghrelin and the balance of our gut microbiome could influence our decision-making processes. This understanding opens up innovative avenues for promoting safer gambling habits through a holistic lens.

Making Safer Bets: Gut Health and Safer Gambling Habits

At present, the best online casinos in the UK have robust safer gambling policies, but through research, they could always improve. By integrating gut health into gambling behaviour management, we can explore targeted interventions that not only address psychological factors but also physiological ones. For instance, dietary changes that promote a healthy gut microbiome could potentially temper risk-taking behaviours, making individuals more resistant to the lure of persistent gambling in the face of losses. Similarly, the use of probiotics might not only improve gut health but also support better decision-making, thereby reducing impulsivity associated with gambling.

Furthermore, these insights encourage a multidisciplinary approach to safer gambling initiatives, incorporating nutritional guidance, psychological support, and perhaps even lifestyle changes aimed at enhancing overall well-being. Such strategies could offer a more comprehensive support system for individuals, helping them to make safer choices not just in gambling, but in their broader lives.

Reflecting on the broad impact of gut health, as discussed in the earlier sections, it’s clear that the gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in our behaviour. Acknowledging this connection, safer gambling strategies could benefit from a deeper understanding of this relationship, promoting practices that support gut health as part of a wider approach to managing gambling habits. This holistic perspective not only expands our toolkit for addressing gambling issues but also aligns with a growing recognition of the interconnectivity between our physical health, mental health, and behavioural choices.

Conclusion:

Our exploration into the nexus between gut health and gambling behaviours unveils a fascinating landscape where biology intersects with decision-making. Researchers have been searching for a scientific explanation of gambling addiction for years, but the involvement of the gut has only been explored recently.

The studies discussed suggest a significant, though speculative, link between gut microbiome imbalances and heightened risk-taking behaviours. This connection not only enriches our understanding of gambling habits but also opens the door to innovative, holistic approaches for promoting safer gambling practices. Encouraging a multidisciplinary exploration, this dialogue highlights the importance of further research into the gut-brain axis to fully unravel its potential in influencing behaviour.

As we continue to delve into this intricate relationship, the prospect of integrating dietary and probiotic interventions offers a promising pathway to enhancing decision-making processes, underscoring the critical role of gut health in our overall well-being and the choices we make.

References:

• Sztainert, T., Hay, R., Wohl, M.J.A. and Abizaid, A. (2018). Hungry to gamble? Ghrelin as a predictor of persistent gambling in the face of loss. Biological Psychology, 139, pp.115–123. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.10.011.
• Dantas, A.M., Sack, A.T., Bruggen, E., Jiao, P. and Schuhmann, T. (2022). The effects of probiotics on risk and time preferences. Scientific Reports, [online] 12(1), p.12152. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16251-x.
• Duvallet, C., Gibbons, S.M., Gurry, T., Irizarry, R.A. and Alm, E.J. (2017). Meta-analysis of gut microbiome studies identifies disease-specific and shared responses. Nature Communications, 8(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01973-8.

Understanding the Different Types of Horse Racing

Canadians who don’t watch a lot of horse racing might not realize that there are different types of horse races. Some include jumps, some include carts, and the length of races/type of surface varies as well. Let’s take a look at the three most popular forms of horse racing, and what they entail.

Thoroughbred Racing

Thoroughbred racing is by far the most popular type of the bunch. It’s the prototypical kind of horse race in the minds of many, which is in large part due to the ‘Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing’ (more on that later on).

Only certified Thoroughbred horses can take part in this race form, each partnered with a ‘jockey’ which is a term used specifically to describe someone who rides on horseback during horse racing or ‘steeplechase’ racing (more on that below).

All Thoroughbred races take place on dirt or grass racetracks and is a test of pure speed as there aren’t any ‘hurdles’ – a word used to describe an obstacle which is typically some kind of fence. The distance of each race ranges from around half a mile to as long as a mile-and-a-half. When a race is less than a mile, it’s typically measured in what’s called a ‘furlong’. For example, half a mile is roughly four furlongs.

Jump Racing

Jump racing is commonly referred to as a steeplechase and bears a lot of similarities to Thoroughbred racing. The main difference is that jump racing takes things a step further, as it’s more of an elaborate obstacle course as opposed to a flat out sprint.

This is where hurdles come into play, as each obstacle requires the horse to jump and land in a poised manner so as to not break speed. Some hurdles can be challenging, as they could be surrounded by water among other things. Most jump races are around two miles in length, with varying degrees of elevation and terrain that can be wet, muddy, or whatever else the elements may bring.

Harness Racing

Harness racing is wildly different from both Thoroughbred racing and jump racing. In fact, only ‘Standardbred’ horses can compete and they pull a cart with two wheels behind them throughout the race – known as either a ‘spider’ or a ‘sulky’. Harness races are usually about a mile or so in length, and unsurprisingly only take place on dirt terrain – given the cart in tow. While not as common as other race forms, it’s very fun to watch for those who have the opportunity.

Popular Ways to Bet on Horse Racing

Many Canadians, like others around the world, enjoy the thrill of horse racing. Since most events are Thoroughbred races, they’re over quite quickly and several can occur at one track over the course of a single day (or multiple). Many bets placed on horse racing simply pick a potential winner, but there are other unique varieties that keep things interesting. We’ll cover the most popular types of horse racing betting below.

Straight Bets

The prototypical ‘straight bet’ is what most people imagine horse racing betting to primarily be – and they would be right. It’s called a ‘win bet’ and is as it sounds. Pick a horse to finish in first place and if they win, you win. Other variations of straight betting include a ‘place bet’, where you can choose a horse to finish in either first or second place.

Lastly, there’s a ‘show bet’, which allows you to predict whether or not a horse will finish in first, second, or third. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the lower the place, the lower the payout. For example, placing a ‘win bet’ is typically more profitable than placing a ‘show bet’.

Exotic Bets

‘Exotic bets’ are essentially the same as parlay bets, in that you’re wagering on multiple horses to finish in different places. A ‘vertical exotic bet’ is a type of exotic bet you can only place on one race, akin to a ‘same-game parlay’ in other sports.

The number of horses you bet on is entirely up to you, ranging from the top two finishers down to predicting the outcome of every single horse. A ‘horizontal exotic bet’ is more like a traditional parlay bet, in that you can bet on multiple horses from several races at once. Remember, if even one prediction is wrong, the entire bet falls apart and you will not profit.

Quinella

A ‘quinella’ is a more modern version of horse racing betting, combining elements of straight bets as well as exotic bets. Most of the previous rules apply, except a quinella wager is more lenient since you don’t have to be exact. For example, you can bet on three different horses finishing within the top three of a given race, but you don’t need to go the extra step and predict where exactly the horses will place. If all three of your picks were to finish in the top three, you would win regardless of their specific order.

Most Popular Horse Racing Betting Events

There are popular horse racing events all over the world, with several dating back as early as the 1800s. In fact, Canada has a race like that of its own currently called the ‘King’s Plate’, with ‘currently’ being the operative as the race title switches back and forth between that and the ‘Queen’s Plate’. But why is that? Let’s dive into the most popular races amongst Canadian horse racing bettors.

Triple Crown Races

The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is the ultimate display of the best three-year-old horses and jockeys – spread across three different races at various locations in the United States. It all begins with the ‘Kentucky Derby’, which takes place on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The second leg is called the ‘Preakness Stakes’, held two weeks later on the third Saturday of May in Baltimore, Maryland.

Lastly, there’s the ‘Belmont Stakes’, also known as the ‘Test of the Champion’ since several of the sport’s most thrilling moments have come during this final leg. If a horse wins all three races, they are declared the ‘Triple Crown Champion’. This incredible feat has only occurred thirteen times since a horse named ‘Sir Barton’ first won it all back in 1919. In fact, it’s only happened twice since the turn of the millennium, with ‘Justify’ last capturing Triple Crown honours in 2018.

The King’s Plate (formerly the Queen’s Plate)

As previously mentioned, the name of this race fluctuates between the ‘King’s Plate’ and the ‘Queen’s Plate’. This all depends on whether a king or queen currently sits on the throne. From 1952-2022, Queen Elizabeth reigned thus entitling the race as the Queen’s Plate, but that changed upon her death and King Charles III’s accession in late 2022.

The race first took place in 1860, and is annually held in Toronto, Ontario at Woodbine Racetrack. The purse totals over $1 million, and only three-year-old horses bred in Canada can participate. If you live anywhere near the area, it would be well worth attending if you’re able to swing it. Best of luck in your horse racing betting endeavours!

Sources

‘Me time’: those increasingly elusive minutes we try and grab throughout the day, where the rules and the precious seconds are all yours.

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