Quantitative evaluation of mental excitement of slot machine players

Abstract

We measured the cardiac rates of those who play Pachinko slot machines, and the mental excitement degree was evaluated. The cardiac potentials of 15 volunteers were measured while playing games in a model recreation facility. In all the subjects, the heart rates increased significantly for 30 seconds after winning a "big bonus" game (p < 0.05 vs baseline). In contrast, those who did not win a "big bonus" game showed no significant changes. When winning the second "big bonus" game, the heart rates increased significantly, compared with the first winning (p < 0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between normal mode (big sound) and silent mode (no sound) when winning a bonus game. In conclusion, it was suggested winning a "big bonus" game, not sound, induce the mental excitement and heart rate be a useful quantitative index for evaluation of the mental excitement of players.