Public lecture - The subtle art of making losing fun

Gambling is a common activity and is part of everyday life across society. Although many people gamble—more than half of UK adults—the vast majority consistently lose money. So, when the overall outcome is negative, why do so many people keep gambling? This talk will explore some of the ways gambling games are designed and how certain game features can influence the way we think, shape our decisions, and encourage us to continue gambling. In essence, how does the gambling industry make losing feel like fun?

Dr Steve Sharman is a Reader in Psychology in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University. Dr Sharman is internationally recognised for his research on gambling and behavioural addictions, with a specific focus on the influence of product design in the development and maintenance of gambling disorder. He has also worked on projects investigating the social and economic costs of gambling, and the relationship between gambling and significant harms such as suicide and homelessness. As an Experimental Psychologist, he is interested in the relationship between individual susceptibility, product design, and environment in addictive behaviours. As a secondary research area, Steve is also interested in the psychology of football supporters, and the relationship between fandom and addiction.