Addiction by Design

Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas is a comprehensive exploration into the intricacies of addiction, focusing specifically on the world of video poker and other machine gambling practices in Las Vegas, Nevada. Authored by Natasha Dow Schüll, an anthropologist by training, the book delves into the psychological, social, and technological dimensions that contribute to the phenomenon of gambling addiction. Schüll's work is notable for its in-depth analysis of the design elements of gambling machines and the environments in which they are placed, arguing that these factors are deliberately engineered to encourage continuous play and increase the likelihood of addiction.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Addiction by Design draws on extended fieldwork and interviews with gamblers, game designers, and casino employees. Schüll provides a detailed account of how gambling machines and environments are meticulously crafted to trap players in a cycle of addiction. The book examines the concept of "the zone," a trance-like state that gamblers often describe, where the world and its worries fade away, leaving only the game. Schüll argues that this state is not a byproduct but a deliberate goal of the game's design, achieved through various features such as rapid play, direct payouts, and immersive interfaces.

Themes[edit | edit source]

The book covers several key themes, including:

- **The Psychology of Addiction**: Schüll explores how the design of gambling machines exploits human psychology, particularly in terms of reward and reinforcement schedules. - **Technology and Design**: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to understanding how technological advancements in game design contribute to addiction. - **Regulation and Ethics**: Schüll discusses the ethical considerations and regulatory challenges surrounding machine gambling and its design. - **Social Impact**: The broader social implications of gambling addiction, including the effects on families and communities, are also examined.

Critical Reception[edit | edit source]

Addiction by Design has been praised for its thorough research and insightful analysis into the nature of gambling addiction. Critics have highlighted Schüll's ability to weave together the technological, psychological, and social threads of the issue, presenting a compelling argument about the dangers of machine gambling and the responsibility of designers and operators.

Impact[edit | edit source]

The book has contributed significantly to discussions on gambling addiction, influencing policymakers, researchers, and the gambling industry itself. It has sparked debates on the need for more ethical practices in game design and stronger regulatory measures to protect vulnerable individuals from the potential harms of gambling.