The phrase “flow state” is used to describe when an individual is unreservedly hyper-focused on an activity while functioning at an optimal level. It is generally associated with sports. Athletes who have experienced flow state report feelings of being completely detached from all other distractions, be it opposition or screaming fans, and are instead locked-in on the task at hand. They experience an ethereal sense of control over their movements and an altered perception of time and space even though they are aware that they are attainting peak performance. There is only one rule of flow state; don’t ever talk about flow state. Or at least when you suspect that you’re experiencing it, because acknowledgement alone is enough to jolt the mind and body back to earth.
While sport dominates the field of study regarding flow state, it is also observed in other select fields. For instance, artists, writers, and musicians indicate feelings of being in a creative flow state. Meanwhile, government agencies have reported success in harnessing its power. The U.S. DoD’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DAPRA) have trained military snipers in flow state attainment and found that subjects learned at a 230% faster rate than normal trainees.
For the most part, flow state is an intrinsically positive experience. However, things are complicated by the involvement of dopamine. Dopamine is a “feel good” neurotransmitter that supports feelings of motivation, pleasure, and reward. It is released during flow state, and can come crashing down when flow has subsided. So you see, it’s not just optimal performance that athletes (etc.) desperately try to regain when flow is invariably interrupted, but the chemical reaction in the brain too. This complication is compounded when flow is connected to a potentially problematic activity that may lead to compulsive behavior for vulnerable persons. This is what is informally referred to as dark flow, and it is gaining traction as a subject of interest in the area of problem gambling. Below we explore the dark side of flow as it relates to casino gaming and sports betting.
Exploring the Dark Side of Flow States Experienced by Gamblers Immersed in Casino Gaming and Sports Betting
Dark Flow in Land-Based Casinos
Opponents to the theory that flow state cannot be attained while casino gaming will point to the fact that sustained optimal performance is not possible given that a player goes through a series of wins and losses when engaged in gambling. You win a hand, you lose a hand, et cetera. Unlike with a basketball player who goes on a seemingly magical scoring streak, someone at a blackjack table or slot machine will be frequently interrupted by intermittent losses. Flow state is therefore not possible, as critics see it.
This is where the concept of the loss disguised as a win (LDW) comes in.
LDW refers to a tactic used by casinos (and slot machine manufacturers) to keep players in a state of flow by tricking the brain into thinking that it is being rewarded when in reality the individual is not. LDW is made possible via multiline slot machines which are those that allow slot players to wager on many lines at once. An LDW event occurs when a player has lost the bulk of their wager on the main line, but received a smaller payout on another line. The smaller payout is always accompanied by flashing lights, animations (on advanced digital machines) and sounds that also accompany genuine win. Even though a player has sustained a net loss, their brain is rewarded by the literal bells and whistles while dopamine runs wild. Consequently, a player may attain a flow state, remaining immersed in the activity even though they are heading down a bankroll hole.
Adding fuel to the fire, is comorbidity of mental health disorders and problem gambling, such as depression. A study conducted by the Gambling Research Exchange of Ontario (GREO) regarding dark flow psychology and LDW theory uncovered the following:
“Gamblers reacted to “losses disguised as wins” (LDWs) as though they were small wins, not losses. Gamblers preferred the multiline game compared to the single-line game, and experienced more positive feelings while playing the multiline game. Problem gamblers experienced dark flow states in both the multiline and single-line games, but more so in the multiline game. Finally, gamblers with depressive symptoms experienced elevated dark flow states compared to those without depression. These same gamblers also indicated that they expected gambling to improve their mood. These results suggest that depressed individuals may seek relief from their negative moods by gambling” (GREO)
How to Fight Dark Flow in Land-Based Casino Slots
Regulators and Operators: Given the significant volume of research on LDW tactics and their impact on player perceptions, state-by-state gaming regulators might consider the tactic in the same manner as dishonesty in advertising. If an outright ban on multiline slots is not viable, is it not reasonable to suggest that slot developers should be tasked with the removal of sounds and animations that essentially trick players’ brains into thinking that they are not sustaining a net loss?
Players: Slot (and other electronic casino games) players simply need to be more mindful of what’s going on, not relying upon sounds and flashing lights, and instead focus on their totals. This will prove less effective for someone with gambling disorder and comorbid conditions, but raising awareness about the dark flow in land-based casinos is at least a step in the right direction.
Dark Flow in Online Casino Gaming / Sports Betting
The LDW tactic and its ability to foster a cognitive environment for dark flow is obviously even more possible in online casino gaming. However, the dark side of flow state can be attained in online sports betting too.
How can a flow state possibly be attained in online sports betting when wagering on a game or event is not technically gaming? There is no continuous activity to keep a player so immersed that they lose track of time and disregard bodily cues that seek to disrupt flow such as hunger or exhaustion, is there?
Sports betting apps may make a dark flow state possible.
There is a legitimate argument to be made that apps are more conducive to flow than traditional web properties. Apps have been designed to create a seamless experience for users, allowing them to transition from one movement (i.e. adding a pick to their betting ticket) to the next.
Recent research on smartphone apps and their ability to make flow states possible indicates the following:
“Mobile applications, with their interactive interfaces and often instant gratification mechanisms, are well-primed to induce flow experiences. By delivering an equilibrium of challenges tailored to user skill levels, these apps foster optimal conditions for flow, augmenting user engagement and retention.” (BMC Psychology)
When you pair this positive user experience (UX) provided by an app with the gambling concepts of prop betting and parlays (ubiquitous with sportsbooks and DFS platforms) bettors have an increased opportunity to remain engaged on sports betting apps with little room for interruption. This may prove problematic for those who have a risk of compulsive gambling behavior, as per the research referenced above:
“While flow can enhance the richness of online experiences, there’s a growing concern about its association with excessive online behaviors. Wan and Chiou argued that users, especially in online gaming environments, can get so captivated in the flow that they lose track of time, fostering addictive tendencies. This deep immersion, as indicated by Faiola et al, might promote compulsive behavior in online platforms, making the line between healthy and excessive engagement increasingly thin.“
How to Fight Dark Flow in Online Gambling
Regulators and Operators: Regulators may call upon operators (and their app development teams) to incorporate features that mitigate the potential for problematic flow. Features may help players monitor their usage (i.e. an alert that appears after a given amount of time), set usage and wagering limits, and/or schedule breaks. Such features can help players manage their engagement with a given gambling app and prevent the transition from immersive betting to compulsive behaviors. Operators needn’t wait for regulators to make this call, as they can make it a part of their Responsible Gaming strategy.
Players: Once again, in reading this, players can learn to be more mindful of what they may be experiencing. They must learn to pay attention to mind-body cues such as hunger, thirst, and exhaustion in addition to a potentially depleting bankroll and disrupt dark flow accordingly. If they recognize that they cannot, then it’s time to get help.
While research is limited, spreading awareness of dark flow psychology as it relates to gambling behavior could be enough to make gamblers catch themselves before becoming too immersed in casino gaming and sports betting. After all, unlike with positive flow states, the first rule of dark flow, is to talk about dark flow.
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