Gambling in the Netherlands dates back to the 17th century, when the first legal lotteries appeared in the country. But the real revolution began in the spring of 2021, when the authorities legalised online casinos. The change in legislation has affected the Dutch entertainment market. According to https://sportschap.net, by 2023, more than 1.5 million people had registered on gambling platforms.
But what keeps people coming back to gambling again and again? The answer is not so simple. The decision is influenced by psychological and social factors – the desire to experience adrenaline, the desire to win, financial interest and imitation of others. Gambling in the Netherlands is perceived as entertainment, a way to socialise and relieve stress. Cultural attitudes towards gambling establishments play their part. Here entertainment is perceived as part of leisure time, not as something forbidden and harmful.
Social networks, advertising and streaming services popularise games. As a result, people form an image of casinos as a fashionable hobby. This creates a cycle in which culture and technology fuels interest in gambling and gaming becomes part of the Dutch way of life.
Table of Contents
The Science of Emotions – How Gambling Affects the Brain
Gambling activates the areas of the brain responsible for pleasure, anticipation and risk, involving complex neurobiological mechanisms. Winnings stimulate the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is a chemical internal reinforcement factor (IRF). It is a component of the ‘reward system’ that causes satisfaction.
This is the same system that is activated by eating delicious food or in moments of pleasurable social interactions. In the case of gambling, dopamine is released not only during winning, but also during the waiting period for the outcome. This is what makes betting so attractive and encourages you to keep playing.
Short bursts of the neurotransmitter form the reward effect. The brain remembers the pleasure of winning and seeks to repeat the sensation. Thus, wins, even if they are rare, keep you coming back to the game again and again.
Emotion And Risk – Why Do We Feel Adrenaline From Betting?
Betting triggers feelings of adrenaline because the areas of the brain responsible for the risk and novelty response are activated during a game. The amygdala and prefrontal cortex are involved in assessing danger and rewards. When a user bets money on an outcome, the brain sees it as a challenge that can bring rewards.
Adrenaline is a hormone that is produced in situations of risk or stress. It speeds up the heartbeat, raises blood pressure and creates a feeling of excitement. Even a minor risk in a game provokes a hormonal response, creating feelings of euphoria and excitement. As a result, gambling entertainment turns into an emotional ride, in which every spin of the reel or lay of the cards is accompanied by an adrenaline rush.
Almost Won Jackpot Encourages Us to Bet Again
The Almost Won Jackpot phenomenon is a psychological trick that makes people believe that they are very close to success. The brain perceives situations where the result almost became a win as a real victory. This is especially noticeable in slot machines, when a player sees two identical symbols, but the third stops one step away from the payline.
According to research, almost-wins activate the same areas of the brain that are responsible for feelings of satisfaction and reward. This creates a false sense that luck is possible and that the next attempt is sure to produce a positive result. In reality, it increases the desire to continue playing the game, even if the probability of winning remains low.
The Role of Social Factors – How Do People Around Us Influence Our Behaviour?
Our decisions and behaviour are influenced by the people around us – our friends, our online community, our advertising. Social factors influence how we perceive games and why we return to them again and again.
Why Do We Play With Friends More Often?
When playing in company, one experiences the pleasure of experiencing vivid emotions together. Excitement becomes part of group fun, not just a way to spend time alone:
- The Social Comparison Effect. A person tends to compare personal successes and failures with those of friends, which encourages continued play. The desire to outperform others or keep up keeps interest in online betting alive.
- Sense of community. People share victories and discuss strategies in the company of others. This creates an atmosphere of support and positive reinforcement.
- Social pressure. Even if a person didn’t intend to place a bet, the presence of friends can encourage them to do so. ‘Come on, try it, you won’t regret it!’ – such phrases are often heard at the gaming table or in front of a smartphone screen.
These factors create an atmosphere where gambling becomes part of the social experience, which increases the motivation to keep playing.
How Do Game Chats and Streams Influence the Willingness to Continue Playing?
Modern websites offer not only slot machines, lotteries, live casinos, but also a space for socialising. Casinos are integrating chat rooms so users can discuss results, share strategies and chat while betting. This turns gaming into more than just an enjoyable pastime:
- Streaming games. Platforms like Twitch allow you to watch others play slot machines, bet at a live casino, or predict the results of sports matches. This creates a spectacle effect that inspires you to try your hand. Seeing a streamer win a jackpot makes a person start to believe that they too will succeed.
- Social Approval. When people realise that their achievements and winnings are being noticed and discussed by others, the feeling of satisfaction is multiplied. Social sharing adds emotion to every win and loss.
- Access to strategic advice. Chat rooms and forums discuss the best approaches and secrets, which increases confidence in decisions. This is very important for beginners who want to feel supported by more experienced players.
Online communities create a sense of engagement and motivation to keep playing the game, making it a fun, interactive experience.
Conclusion
The desire to experience the euphoria of winning, the activation of the reward system in the brain and the urge to repeat the pleasurable experience all make gaming appealing. The support of friends, the influence of online communities and the plausible image of casinos in the media reinforce the attraction, turning online betting into a way to socialise and have fun. Social and psychological motivations combine to create a combination that makes gaming appealing to many people.