If people are going to waste their money on digital slot machines (which already decided if they win or not before the roll), why not educate them as well?

This is a standard slot machine, but enhanced with software that would provide a mini educational game at various intervals. Topics can cover, maths, history, philosophy, biology, etc...

It would also break up the 'gambling trance' somewhat in between minigames, allowing those who are addicted to more easily escape the gambler's trance.

The incentive to play these mini games, is that doing well in it, would actually increase your gambling chances for the next few rolls.

At the very least, they be smarter addicts.
-- mofosyne, Jul 11 2014

Not a gambler myself - doesn't work for me, no thrills to be had. Are you one of those that enjoy the game(s) or an outsider like myself?
-- normzone, Jul 11 2014


Outsider, so unfortunately I don't know if it would work. Usually tacking addiction requires working with addicts to develop ideas.

But I do think that addicts do have in common is a skewed susceptibility towards certain types of incentives.

I mean, pinball was considered a gambling machine, until it was proven to be truly skill based by a particularly good player. So in a sense I am not against 'games' with monetary outcome, but I am against 80% chance type of games.
-- mofosyne, Jul 11 2014


oh yes i can totally picture casinos installing slot machines that encourage gamblers to do things other than gambling its so simple why didnt i think of it before
-- ytk, Jul 11 2014


Worth testing in a real casino.

A separate computer next to the slot machine deals the lesson. And unlocks the slot for use as the first machine tells the second that player club member 15439852 has learned something based on testing.

If players spend more time gambling, as well as learn something, then the idea is salable. Slots could have their odds set same or different to see if the combo makes money. You can build an integrated machine later if the tests warrant it.

Or just a school marm in a class room teaching say basic probability. And a paper voucher to get the passing students special seating or privileges. again You can build an integrated machine later if the tests warrant it.
-- popbottle, Jul 11 2014


Most, and please read that as most, of the slot players I have seen, are bent over, chain smoking, half-crazed addicts. I don't see them switching out the chance for thousands of dollars for a bit of education.

That being said, I think the idea is posted with the best possible intentions, and a "if only" kind of applies here. If only human nature leaned more towards wisdom than greed. Now start fighting about that...oh wise ones of the bakery. But keep it nice.
-- blissmiss, Jul 11 2014


It'd be interesting to see if they'd get the kind of piecemeal education you get as a result of spending hours bent over in front of the halfbakery, randomly clicking on things.
-- RayfordSteele, Jul 11 2014


The players are already paying to get a good, tough lesson in probability.
-- sophocles, Jul 11 2014


Learning for what? We need to get beyond this puritanical attitude that learning skills basics is a social good in it's own right. I don't support any form of state sanctioned gambling and I certainly don't support the notion that the love of learning, and that the progress of human knowledge may be forced on the individual. Specialization and pleasure in intellectual pursuits should be emphasized over a pablum diet of "the basics" for every person.
-- WcW, Jul 11 2014


Or physical education? Running an obstacle course between bouts of slots.
-- popbottle, Jul 11 2014



random, halfbakery