COULD lighting be key to getting gamblers to part with their money?
Research conducted by Flinders University suggests that circadian photoreception, the body's non-visual response to light, could be playing an unexpected role in shaping risky gambling behaviour.
The study looked at participants' economic decisions using a series of casino scenarios under blue-enriched and blue-depleted light to assess the impact of light wavelengths on risk preferences.
"We found that 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," says lead author, Dr Alicia Lander.
In short, they found that participants exposed to blue-enriched light became less sensitive to losses, making them more likely to choose risky financial options over safer alternatives.
Research suggests people feel more strongly about losing $100 than winning $100.
"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," said Dr Lander.
"It is possible that simply dimming the 'blue' in casino lights could help promote safer gambling behaviours," she suggested.
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