Music and gambling maintain a connection that’s often subtle yet entertaining. The latest rise in online gambling popularity in the U.S. derives from a Supreme Court decision to overturn a federal ban on sports betting in 2018.
States across the country created legislation to regulate online sports betting. Casino companies then took advantage of the opportunity to offer remote and mobile options to in-state players.
The increase in demand necessitated enhancements like adding music to online games. Poker players on TV listening to music at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) already precipitated that connection between music and gambling.
Let’s take a closer look.
Psychology Behind Background Music at Casinos
One of the most common ways music and gambling interact comes from background music. Land-based casinos and online platforms use music to influence a player’s mood and performance.
Sound effects at slots help to remind players of their favorite games. That same background music might get used in advertising to encourage players to return to the casino after they’ve left.
Background music influencing a person’s gambling habits also comes from the sounds of coins hitting the machine. Players feel a sense of satisfaction from those sounds, which contributes to them feeling entertained.
The sound effects and background music may also entice players to keep gambling, even during a losing streak.
Beats and Tempo Match Game Speeds
Online slots often use various types of background music that help bring gameplay to life. For example, a Jimi Hendrix slot includes some of the guitarist’s most iconic riffs and songs. When players click around on the game, they’ll hear guitar sounds.
As the game kicks into gear, the tempo of the sound effects and background music match the elevated speed of the game.
That same theory applies to online slots with ancient or Latin-style themes. When players spin the reels, background music offers tempos that are either fast or slow.
Casinos and software developers might prefer slow music for games that require deliberate decision-making. Other games may speed up the pace of the music to create an atmosphere of spontaneity.
Music Creates an Ambiance for Gambling
An essential component of any reputable casino comes from the ambiance of the gaming floor. The flashing lights and sounds of slot machines, the crowds around table games, and even live entertainment encourage gamblers to spend time and money there.
On nights and weekends, casinos might even host musicians on a stage near the gaming floor. Games with their background music on repeat entice gamblers to place their first wager.
Online casinos and offshore gambling sites offer popular games with memorable music to attract players and keep them returning. That means they need to provide the best possible user experience.
Music also plays an essential role in creating a lively ambiance for gambling online.
Players across the U.S. get access to various online gambling options. Offshore sites cater to gamblers in legal gray areas.
For example, finding a reputable online casino in California requires some research.
Players must do their due diligence to deposit at an online casino with an excellent ambiance and a positive reputation for customer service and satisfaction.
Players Can Choose Their Favorite Music When Gambling
During the 2003 – 2006 poker boom in the U.S., the main event at the WSOP went mainstream. Cameras showed the world’s most famous poker players with headphones while gambling or waiting for a decent hand.
Listening to music might help players to focus. Strategizing against opponents increases a player’s chance of winning against other poker players.
Regarding multi-table tournaments, players sometimes wait for extended periods before entering a hand. With that downtime, they can choose what to listen to via Bluetooth on their smartphone.
Staying focused and entertained keeps players on their toes.
Famous Songs About Gambling
Gambling is a significant part of societies and cultures from Las Vegas to Atlantic City to Macau. Well-known as gambling centers, these cities attract and promote local, national, and international tourism.
The idea of the gambler also appears in literature, art, and music—especially rock and roll.
The most well-known example is that of the Hard Rock Casino, with locations across the U.S. Each Hard Rock location showcases a giant Fender electric guitar as its motif.
Some of the most popular songs about gambling include:
- Elvis Presley – “Viva Las Vegas” (1968)
- The Rolling Stones – “Tumbling Dice” (1972)
- Motorhead – “Ace of Spades” (1980)
- Bruce Springsteen – “Atlantic City” (1982)
- Lady Gaga – “Poker Face” (2008)
In 2009, Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” anthem sold more than 9.5 million copies, becoming the top-selling single worldwide. With over 14 million copies sold worldwide, it’s one of the most successful singles in recording history.
Gambling as a musical theme left its mark across various genres, including rock, pop, and heavy metal.
Music Makes Gambling Entertaining and Fun
The connection between music and gambling began as a marketing psychology to entertain players. With the arrival of handheld portable music devices, famous poker players listening to music on headphones became fashionable at the WSOP, the most prestigious worldwide tournament.
With the rise in popularity of gambling online, software developers sought to match the tempos of background music with slow or fast gameplay.
One of the latest trends in online slots comes from themes related to famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Ozzy Osburne, Kiss, and Guns N’ Roses.
In the future, players may gamble online with virtual reality headsets (VR). Games might have the option for players to choose their in-game music.
What’s your favorite music to listen to when you gamble?
