October may be over, but the horrors don’t end. Gambling is becoming disturbingly normalized, showing up on billboards and live streams, among other places, and it’s easily accessible. With this environment, it’s no wonder stories of people falling into debt keep popping up. Honestly, it’s impressive when users can spot it early and turn away, but not everyone is as sharp in these situations as we’d hope.
What makes gambling appealing?
Let’s delve into some reasons why gambling can seem appealing from the get-go. When you enter a casino or find gambling sites online, they have a visual appeal that draws you in. If you see someone winning, with flashing lights and certain sounds in the vicinity, or if you’re near someone on a hot streak, this environment conditions you to want to try it out yourself. Before you know it, you’re gambling too.
When you do start gambling, the highs and lows add another layer of appeal. The adrenaline rush from “hitting it big” can quickly overshadow the hole left by the money you spent trying to win. Sure, winning 500 pesos is great, but spending 20,000 pesos to get there? Not so much.
Other triggers like boredom, loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depression can also play a role. However, to keep this discussion focused and avoid stepping outside the realm of expertise, we’ll stick to discussing the environment, adrenaline rushes, and ease of access as primary reasons why gambling is so appealing.
Gaming as a gambling alternative
Whether or not you’re into gambling, having alternatives can save you or your loved ones financially and emotionally. Enter gaming. Many games replicate the excitement of gambling but with lower risks, greater satisfaction, and, thanks to online communities, a built-in support system—if you play your cards right.
Gambling is about the thrill of earning rewards, whether in cash or kind. In a way, some games can offer similar thrills for a lot less.
Let’s discuss direct replacements for gambling in terms of three aspects: sensory overload, adrenaline rush, and potential for earnings.
Gaming as a Sensory Overload Mechanism
Earlier, I mentioned how gambling often puts gamblers into a state of sensory overload with flashing lights, catchy sounds, and noteworthy visuals. Would you believe me if I said you could experience this in gaming too?
Back when arcade culture was at its peak, there was an ambiance that transported you to another world. The flashing lights, jackpot sounds, and even the crowds made it an experience. Looking back, aren’t casinos just adult arcades with more vices and less supervision?
Arcade culture might be a thing of the past, but if I wanted sensory overload with less at stake, I’d look to gacha games. These games use a gachapon-style mechanic, offering a rollercoaster of emotion as you try to get that character or item you’ve been eyeing, using resources earned in-game or purchased with real money.
The odds are rarely in your favor, but when you finally get that rare character or equipment, the satisfaction is amplified by celebratory visuals. If you worked hard for it, you should celebrate too—why not?
There are countless gacha games out there, with Hoyoverse games among the most well-known. For a game that offers a lot of pulls with minimal investment and still gives a sense of satisfaction, try Vampire Survivor! It’s not a traditional gacha game, but the chest celebrations really give a jackpot feel.
If you want a true gacha experience, check out Fate/Grand Order during Christmas or Goddess of Victory: Nikke, which celebrates its 2nd anniversary this November.
Gaming for Adrenaline Junkies
Gambling is a thrill ride filled with excitement and disappointment. There’s a fine line between playing it safe and risking it all, and oftentimes, without self-control, a gambler would risk it all for a reward that was never really worth it to begin with. The house always wins, but what if you never bothered with that house to begin with and just started fresh somewhere else?
Life is the Hunger Games, and the odds are never in your favor. But, coming from a science background, what I can guarantee you is that a controlled environment can still give you that adrenaline rush you’re craving for.
Games are stuck in the confines of their play environment—whether on mobile, console, PC, or even in real life. While every game may not give the same thrill as hitting the jackpot in slots or winning cash from a scatter, fast-paced games like League of Legends, Honor of Kings, or other MOBAs, especially with friends, could be your answer. There’s nothing more satisfying than decimating an unassuming opponent at the beginning of a game or taking over the enemy base with your friends.
There are reasons why esports fans know legendary calls like “ECHO SLAMMA JAMMA” or “NORMALIN NORMALIN”—it’s because these moments are hyped up by the casters. Imagine being part of those moments yourself!
What if you’re too shy to take part in MOBA games with friends or still crave that adrenaline rush from playing video games? Look no further than Souls-likes and fighting games! The frustration of losing often emulates the feeling of loss in gambling, but the satisfaction from beating that boss fight is on another level. With a variety of games to choose from and a compelling storyline, the highs from winning are something else.
Gaming for Profit
Imagine this: you’re strapped for cash and decide to try online scratch cards or slots, thinking 20 pesos isn’t much to lose. Then, you win 140 pesos! But hours later, you’ve lost 50 thousand pesos and spent the night digging yourself into a deeper hole.
Gambling’s appeal often lies in the dream of making it big, ignoring the costs. It’s like overspending on a gacha skin when you could get it cheaper.
I remember spending too much on booster packs for a certain card, only to fail. The money I spent on packs could’ve bought the card outright. Another time, a relationship suffered because someone prioritized in-game cosmetics over their partner. Imagine spending 20 thousand for an exclusive skin on a character you rarely use and then not even treating your partner to fries from Potato Corner.
So, how can gaming be monetized? The future of gaming hinges on how much you invest, whether as a streamer, player, or analyst. Unlike gambling, gaming rewards come from gradual earnings with less risk.
Recovering from or avoiding gambling is becoming tougher, but the first step is recognizing the problem. Whether through your gamer buddies, loved ones, or your own efforts, the fact that you’re trying is already progress. The road to hell may be paved with good intentions, but ultimately, you’ve got to bet on yourself. Here’s hoping you strike it rich—with no repercussions and only good intentions, of course.
