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How past wins tempt people to gamble
People are more likely to gamble when they are reminded of past wins. Researchers call this “priming.” In a controlled test, they found that people were at least 15 percent more likely to gamble and...
View ArticleGambling monkeys forfeit prize to see if they won
Monkeys are so curious they’re willing to give up a big part of a prize just to quickly know if they won anything at all. “It’s like buying a lottery ticket that you can scratch off and find out if you...
View ArticleA single brain connection predicts risky gambling
Scientists tracked the activity in two brain regions and found that people who have a strong connection between the two regions are less likely to place a risky bet. “Activity in one brain region...
View ArticleNYC sells more lottery tickets when sports teams win
Unexpectedly positive events—like surprising sports wins or unusually sunny days—may make people more willing to gamble, according to an analysis of two years’ worth of daily lottery purchases in New...
View ArticleThis happens in our mind when we take a gamble
Scientists have located a region of the brain that kicks into gear when we make decisions that we’re not completely sure about. The discovery could lead to treatments for psychological and psychiatric...
View ArticleWhy ramen noodles are the new ‘money’ in prisons
Ramen noodles are replacing cigarettes as a form of currency in US prisons. It’s not because of bans on tobacco products. To save money, prisons have cut back on the quality and quantity of food they...
View ArticleSlot machine algorithm could find HIV hotspots
An algorithm for picking a casino slot machine may be a way for AIDS programs to better locate people living with undiagnosed HIV infection. “When you walk into a casino and see a row of slot machines...
View ArticleAncient North Americans played high-stakes games
From games of chance to tests of physical skill, ancient North America Indians took their sport and recreation seriously, research shows. “Games are ubiquitous. Every society seems to have them,” says...
View ArticleGambling monkeys reveal brain area key to taking risks
Monkeys who learned how to gamble have helped researchers pinpoint an area of the brain that is key to our willingness to take risks, according to a new study. The findings, which deepen our...
View ArticleHow our gambling brains decide when to double down
Our most recent run of luck influences our high-risk choices at the poker table or in our everyday lives, a new study suggests. The decision to “up the ante” even against long odds, or to be...
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