Bright lights in casinos, pokie dens and even online may encourage risks

Bright lights are common in casinos, but they may be setting up gamblers to fail. See what these Flinders University researchers have to say.

Bright blue lights in casinos, pokie parlours and even online gambling sites may encourage gamblers to downplay their losses and take risks, research from Flinders University suggests.

The work shows lights in gambling halls affect how people perceive their wins and losses and may make them more prone to risky wagers.

The study examined participants’ decisions using a series of casino scenarios under blue-enriched and blue-depleted light to assess the impact of light wavelengths on risky behaviour.

Lead author Dr Alicia Lander said “circadian photoreception” — the body’s non-visual response to light — could be playing an unexpected role in shaping gambling behaviour.

“We found light with more blue wavelengths in it, which is frequently emitted by LED screens and casino lighting, could subtly influence how people perceive losses and gains,” she said.

“This raises questions about the role of lighting in environments like casinos or online gambling platforms.”

Flinders University researcher Dr Alicia Lander

The study investigated whether circadian photoreception affects risk-taking behaviour during gambling. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard.

The study investigated whether circadian photoreception affects risk-taking behaviour during gambling by manipulating the “melanotic” brightness of light, which targets the body’s internal clock, while keeping visual brightness constant.

The results showed participants exposed to blue-enriched light became less sensitive to losses, making them more likely to choose risky financial options over safer alternatives.

“Typically, people have a strong tendency to avoid losses, often outweighing potential gains in their decision- making,” Dr Lander said.

“However, under blue-enriched light that stimulates non-visual circadian photoreceptors, they demonstrated a reduced sensitivity to financial losses that may influence gambling tendencies, potentially encouraging riskier behaviours.

“Under conditions where the lighting emitted less blue, people tended to feel a $100 loss much more strongly than a $100 gain — the loss just feels worse.

“But under bright, blue-heavy light such as that seen in casino machines, the $100 loss didn’t appear to feel as bad, so people were more willing to take the risk.”

Bright blue light linked to risky gambling. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

The study suggests blue light alters neural processing in brain regions tied to reward and decision-making, possibly dampening negative emotions associated with losses.

“Interestingly, we found women displayed greater loss aversion than men, showing more reluctance to take risks under both light conditions,” Dr Lander said.

“This aligns with previous research indicating women often experience stronger emotional responses to financial uncertainty, while men may have a greater tolerance for risk.”

Researcher Professor Sean Cain said as online gambling continues to surge, reducing blue light exposure could be a potential strategy to mitigate impulsive gambling.

“It is possible that simply dimming the ‘blue’ in casino lights could help promote safer gambling behaviours,” he said.

The study was published in Nature’s Scientific Reports journal.

Originally published as Bright lights in casinos, pokie dens and even online may encourage risks