Fruit Machines - Gambling Addiction

 Basically this article is what the capsule title describes it as, I want to shed some light on this terrible waste of money. I try and make my articles based on subjects I feel strongly about, and this is something I would like to express my opinion on because I have witnessed the effects it can have.

 Usually every weekend I spend one at least one night at various local pubs with friends or one friend in particular because I enjoy 2-3 drinks a week which I believe is harmless. However, the last year or two my friends have become engrossed in 'fruit machine games' or gambling machines as they are better known here. I find myself stood by the side watching for 30 minutes while they throw at least a days hard earned pay down the drain, 50 pound being alot considering the mundane work our jobs involve.

'Noel' as they call their favourite game, is one of the most popular fruit machines in pubs across Britain. It is a theme based on the T.V programme Deal or No Deal which is also another gambling show, making it even more enticing for sucker's hoping to make a winning.

My friends get excited when they find a new version of different machines, even phoning each other to ask tips and odds. The professional of the group even has a 'Pacman' machine at his house to gain more experience, they can be picked up second hand from pub owners or bought online from various fan sites or eBay.

I don't understand exactly how they work, but from what I have picked up from watching, somethings which lead to winning are obviously matching 3 symbols on the wheels or getting one symbol which moves you to the 'board' at the top of the machine. My friends seem to think there are 'fruit machine cheats' such as watching other people putting so much money in before the machine is willing to pay out, which is apparently based on the 'pay-out percentage' indicated in the top right of the machine. However, due to microprocessors, the manufacturers can now assign different probabilities to different symbols making it much less likely to win the jackpot.

Another popular one is the Star Wars theme which according to my friends is harder to win on, or more addictive because the jackpot is harder to retrieve.  I have seen my friend win 28 pound after putting 5 pound in here, however he proceeded to put it all back in. I have heard stories from my friends that they have won large amounts because one is more 'lucky', however the story is usually followed by the fact that they have blown the winnings on drinks and food afterward.

They seem to be always lending money off one-another to fund their habit and one seems to lend more than the rest, ending up in debt all of the time. He is only working a part-time job whilst living at home with his parents after finishing university and gets paid monthly, I have heard he has spent over 100 pound in one night leaving him with very little to last til next payday. Often large amounts of money are spent just to 'drop' the jackpot even when their total spending has exceeded this amount of 75 pound. I can't see what is so fun about the game to dedicate so much time, players are obviously drawn back after that one off feeling of 'being up'.

Another popular slot machine found in almost every pub is the 'I.T Box'. This machine is different in design but has the same concept, take peoples money with low probability of winning big. However, I did find this machine has more entertainment value and I have been persuaded into participating.You don't seem to lose as much money using this one because it is only 50 pence per play and a game usually lasts at least 10 minutes answering questions and proceeding onto the money winning level. I don't see this game as being as dangerous to people's finances because as long as your taking part for the 'competition of general knowledge' and don't over do it then you gaining some kind of satisfaction of personal value.

 If you thought pub venues where an ideal cashing in spot for fruit machine manufacturers then think again, large amounts of machines are sold to seaside resorts such as the one pictured above. Without stating the obvious attraction of gamblers which is the casino, I would like to summarise in this article of how the gambling entertainment industry is pushing it's boundaries to the fullest to take advantage of people's weakness to put all of their hopes into 'striking it lucky'.