Music in Gambling Contexts : What are Individuals' Perceptions of Music Experienced in Gambring Contexts & Why Do Individuals Self-Select Music to Accompany Gambling?

Abstract

Music influences behaviours in everyday contexts (North & Hargreaves, 2008) and is a factor which can influence gambling behaviour (Griffiths & Parke, 2005; 2003). Experimenter-selected background music has been found to influence indices of gambling behaviour in laboratory gambling experiments (e.g. Spenwyn, Barrett & Griffiths, 2010; Noseworthy & Finlay, 2009; Dixon, Trigg & Griffiths, 2007; Marmurek et al., 2007). However, less is known about gamblers’ experience of music in real-life gambling contexts. To date research has considered music’s utilisation in gambling environments where fruit machines are located (Griffiths & Parke, 2005). Therefore further research is required to determine gamblers’ responses to music in different gambling environments and when playing other gambling activities. Opportunities for individuals to gamble have increased; gambling activities can be accessed in both traditional (e.g. casinos, bookmakers) and remote gambling environments. Remote gambling permits individuals to gamble using technological devices and the same can be observed for music, as listeners access music using sophisticated electronic equipment. It is therefore feasible that individuals self-select music to accompany gambling. In the present study an online questionnaire was administered to examine gamblers’ responses to music in traditional and remote gambling environments; the perceived functions and influences of music on gambling behaviour. This is the first study to examine gamblers’ motivations for self-selecting music to accompany gambling. Our findings will be presented at the conference, where we will discuss the implications of music listening for gamblers and consider how future research could further the understanding of why music influences gambling behaviour.