--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Slot machines provide a classic example…" description: "\"“Slot machines provide a classic example of variable rewards of the hunt. Gamblers plunk $1 billion per day into slot machines in American casinos, whi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/nir-eyal-1258_computers_slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example_2229910.jpg" --- # Slot machines provide a classic example of variable… ![“Slot machines provide a classic example of variable rewards of the hunt. Gamblers plunk $1 billion per day into slot machines in American casinos, which is a testament to the machines’ power to compel players.[lxxxiv] By awarding money in random intervals, games of chance entice players with the…” quote by Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/nir-eyal-1258_computers_slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example_2229910.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/nir-eyal-1258_computers_slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example_2229910.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/nir-eyal-1258_computers_slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example_2229910.jpg) > ““Slot machines provide a classic example of variable rewards of the hunt. Gamblers plunk $1 billion per day into slot machines in American casinos, which is a testament to the machines’ power to compel players.\[lxxxiv\] By awarding money in random intervals, games of chance entice players with the prospect of a jackpot. Of course, winning is entirely outside the gambler’s control — yet the pursuit can be intoxicating.”” [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Variable‑reward systems exploit human craving for unpredictable gains, driving compulsive behavior. **In simple terms:** Random rewards make us chase endlessly. Key Takeaway Limit exposure to such systems. Themes addiction psychology design behavioral economics Mood cautious thoughtful Type educational critical When to use this quote - online gambling - social media - mobile gaming - marketing tactics Key Concepts variable reinforcement habit loops gamification Questions to Reflect On - How do you break the cycle of random reward? - What alternatives satisfy the same drive? A Different Perspective Awareness alone may not curb deep‑rooted habits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Gambling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gambling/) [Jackpot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jackpot/) [Risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk/) [Slot machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slot-machines/) ## Related quotes > [We’ve all selected the wrong partners, all gotten hurt, and hopefully all moved on wiser for the experience. But there are those who, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/we-ve-all-selected-the-wrong-partners-all-gotten-hurt-and-hopefully/) [Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/) > [“Adding variability increased the frequency of the pigeons completing the intended action. Skinner’s pigeons tell us a great deal about what helps drive our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/adding-variability-increased-the-frequency-of-the-pigeons-completing/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Remember and Share - Variable Reward is the third phase of the Hook Model, and there are three types of variable rewards: tribe, hunt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/remember-and-share-variable-reward-is-the-third-phase-of-the-hook/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“variable rewards are a powerful inducement to repeat actions. Understanding what moves users to return to habit-forming products gives designers an opportunity to build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/variable-rewards-are-a-powerful-inducement-to-repeat-actions/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Facebook provides numerous examples of variable social rewards. Logging-in reveals an endless stream of content friends have shared, comments from others, and running tallies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/facebook-provides-numerous-examples-of-variable-social-rewards/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Variable rewards are not magic fairy dust that a product designer can sprinkle onto a product to make it instantly more attractive. Rewards must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/variable-rewards-are-not-magic-fairy-dust-that-a-product-designer-can/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Which Rewards Should You Offer? Fundamentally, variable reward systems must satisfy users’ needs, while leaving them wanting to re-engage. The most habit-forming products and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/which-rewards-should-you-offer-fundamentally-variable-reward-systems/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [ “Research shows that levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine surge when the brain is expecting a reward.\[xi\] Introducing variability multiplies the effect, creating a focused… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/research-shows-that-levels-of-the-neurotransmitter-dopamine-surge/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [Since young people would much rather play fast-action, rapidly advancing video games, and gambling laws for slot machines and roulette tables haven't changed much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-frey/since-young-people-would-much-rather-play-fast-action-rapidly/) [Thomas Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-frey/) > [When the money is not spent on cars and refrigerators and is instead dropped into a slot machine, it leaves the economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-warren-kindt/when-the-money-is-not-spent-on-cars-and-refrigerators-and-is-instead/) [John Warren Kindt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-warren-kindt/) > [Our old - fashioned system is better than any new - fangled voting machine. Not only is it guaranteed to work, but there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chretien/our-old-fashioned-system-is-better-than-any-new-fangled-voting/) [Jean Chretien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chretien/) > [Sorry hun. But unlike you, I'm not a doorknob where everybody gets a turn. I'm more of a casino, where only the lucky ones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikaela-lingat/sorry-hun-but-unlike-you-i-m-not-a-doorknob-where-everybody-gets-a/) Mikaela Lingat > [I'm a gambler and love slot machines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/la-la-anthony/i-m-a-gambler-and-love-slot-machines/) [La La Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/la-la-anthony/) > [For every slot machine you add, you lose one job per year from the consumer economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-warren-kindt/for-every-slot-machine-you-add-you-lose-one-job-per-year-from-the/) [John Warren Kindt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-warren-kindt/) > [“This person sees not her own hand depositing the next dollar in a slot machine, but the hand of fate, or God. It’s her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-talmage-mathis/this-person-sees-not-her-own-hand-depositing-the-next-dollar-in-a/) [John-Talmage Mathis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-talmage-mathis/) ## More by Nir Eyal > [“Imagine a time when your mobile phone rang but you didn’t answer it. Why not? Perhaps the phone was buried in a bag, making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/imagine-a-time-when-your-mobile-phone-rang-but-you-didn-t-answer-it/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“For an example of how perception of a limited supply can increase sales, look no further than Amazon.com. My recent search for a DVD…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/for-an-example-of-how-perception-of-a-limited-supply-can-increase/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“all humans are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain, to seek hope and avoid fear, and finally, to seek social acceptance and avoid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/all-humans-are-motivated-to-seek-pleasure-and-avoid-pain-to-seek-hope/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“The more users invest in a product through tiny bits of work, the more valuable the product becomes in their lives and the less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/the-more-users-invest-in-a-product-through-tiny-bits-of-work-the-more/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Twitter The “feed” has become a social staple of many online products. The stream of limitless information displayed in a scrolling interface makes for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/twitter-the-feed-has-become-a-social-staple-of-many-online-products/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Once a technology has created an association in users’ minds that the product is the solution of choice, they return on their own, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/once-a-technology-has-created-an-association-in-users-minds-that-the/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [ “Instead of asking ‘what problem should I solve?’ ask ‘what problem do I wish someone else would solve for me?’”\[cxxxi\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/instead-of-asking-what-problem-should-i-solve-ask-what-problem-do-i/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Storing Value Unlike physical goods in the real world, the software that runs our technology products can adapt itself to our needs. To become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/storing-value-unlike-physical-goods-in-the-real-world-the-software/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“From the follower side of the equation, the more Twitter users curate the list of people they follow, the better the service will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/from-the-follower-side-of-the-equation-the-more-twitter-users-curate/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“When bored, many people seek excitement and turn to dramatic news headlines. When we feel overly stressed we seek calm, perhaps finding relief in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/when-bored-many-people-seek-excitement-and-turn-to-dramatic-news/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Remember and Share - Action is the second step in The Hook. - The action is the simplest behavior in anticipation of reward. -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/remember-and-share-action-is-the-second-step-in-the-hook-the-action/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [Habit-forming products often start as nice-to-haves, but once the habit is formed, they become must-haves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/habit-forming-products-often-start-as-nice-to-haves-but-once-the/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Experiences with finite variability become less engaging because they eventually become predictable. Businesses with finite variability are not inferior per se, they just operate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/experiences-with-finite-variability-become-less-engaging-because-they/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [Fogg states that all humans are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain; to seek hope and avoid fear; and finally, to seek social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/fogg-states-that-all-humans-are-motivated-to-seek-pleasure-and-avoid/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“Stack Overflow’s content is created voluntarily by people who use the site. A staggering 5,000 answers to questions are generated per day by site…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/stack-overflow-s-content-is-created-voluntarily-by-people-who-use-the/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) [Explore all 262 Nir Eyal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) ## More Computers quotes > [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [“Probably it goes without saying, but time machine guys don't get a lot of action. Had a one night stand with something cute a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/probably-it-goes-without-saying-but-time-machine-guys-don-t-get-a-lot/) [Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/) > [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/) [Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/) > [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/) [Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/) > [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/) Jen-Hsun Huang > [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/) William Henry Pickering > [“Alan Turing proposed the Turing Test: a computer is intelligent if you can't tell it from a human when you talk with it. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cjs-hayward/alan-turing-proposed-the-turing-test-a-computer-is-intelligent-if-you/) [CJS Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cjs-hayward/) > [Computers can be taught that certain tune or certain chords changes will sound pleasant together, but I don't think it's going to reach a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonobo/computers-can-be-taught-that-certain-tune-or-certain-chords-changes/) [Bonobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonobo/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/) Cruce Stark > [As in any machine, all the wires must be connected to the mains through one main wire. In the same way, you all must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/as-in-any-machine-all-the-wires-must-be-connected-to-the-mains/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) [Browse all 9,389 Computers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Slot machines provide a classic example of variable rewards of the hunt. Gamblers plunk $1 billion per day into slot machines in American casinos, which is a testament to the machines’ power to compel players.[lxxxiv] By awarding money in random intervals, games of chance entice players with the prospect of a jackpot. Of course, winning is entirely outside the gambler’s control — yet the pursuit can be intoxicating.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nir Eyal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example-of-variable-rewards-of-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Computers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example-of-variable-rewards-of-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/nir-eyal-1258_computers_slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example_2229910.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/nir-eyal-1258_computers_slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example_2229910.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/624/nir-eyal-1258_computers_slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example_2229910.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Slot machines provide a classic example of variable rewards of the hunt. Gamblers plunk $1 billion per day…” — Nir Eyal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nir Eyal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Slot machines provide a classic example...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example-of-variable-rewards-of-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/slot-machines-provide-a-classic-example-of-variable-rewards-of-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```