GamblewareSlots and Public Health: Rethinking Online Slot Design Through NHS Commissioning
Introduction: Gambleware and the Hidden Architecture of Engagement Gambleware refers to software engineered to intensify gambling behavior through psychological manipulation, not random chance. At its core, gambleware exploits cognitive biases—such as the illusion of control and variable reward schedules—via deliberate UI/UX design. Slot machines historically relied on physical triggers; today, digital platforms deploy algorithmic triggers like auto-play and near-miss effects to sustain engagement. BeGamblewareSlots exemplifies this evolution: a platform designed…