FOMO, or “fear of missing out,” is an uneasy and all-consuming feeling that you’re missing out on something rewarding. It can occur in many different situations, from feeling you’re missing out on mind-blowing experiences to thinking you have to follow new trends.
FOMO in gaming and other popular forms of media and entertainment is particularly powerful, especially where online gambling is concerned. For example, in an online casino game of poker, you may feel fear or unease when you think of folding a hand, only to find out later that it could have won. It’s this anxiety that drives many players to make irrational decisions and ignore responsible gambling recommendations. So, they overplay weak hands or wait too long to fold and end up losing a lot more money than they had initially planned.
There is, however, a silver lining. While FOMO can be overwhelming (and it’s something that everyone will feel at some point), you can pinpoint what is causing your FOMO and learn how to control your emotions so you can avoid impulsive decisions.
Discover more about the psychological state of FOMO and how to ensure it doesn’t hit when you next play.
What Is FOMO and How Is It Related To Gambling Behavior?
FOMO is a psychological phenomenon rooted in the fear that you’re being left out of something fun or important — or, in gambling, missing out on potentially profitable opportunities.
The first thing to understand is that the state of FOMO is not a new thing. It is, in fact, a survival mechanism that humans have always experienced. As social beings, people rely on each other to survive. Over human history, being left out or not in the know could have put someone in serious danger.
While FOMO may not necessarily put you in harm’s way today, watching someone else succeed or win big at the casino can create a fear that you’re missing out on a valuable experience. It’s no surprise, then, that FOMO can lead to physiological responses — for example, your stomach clenches into a knot, your chest tightens, and your heart beats faster.
When it comes to playing casino games for real money, like casino dice games or roulette, FOMO can kick in fast, which is why prioritizing responsible gambling practices and knowing when to gamble or when to cut your losses and go home is so important. Even though FOMO itself is not a gambling addiction, it can be an early symptom or warning sign of what could become an addiction. FOMO keeps players at casino table games so they don’t miss rewarding opportunities; this gambling behavior can become excessive if left unchecked.
Here are some of the causes of FOMO.
Availability Bias
FOMO is often triggered by availability bias, where people tend to put too much emphasis on the information that is right in front of them or think that something is more likely to happen because they can very clearly remember something similar happening in the past. In gambling, FOMO can happen when players remember the chances they missed or hear about someone else winning big. This bias makes them believe these opportunities happen more often than they actually do, fueling a fear of missing out on potential profits.
Social Proof
While many people put a negative emphasis on conformity, it’s human nature to want to fit in and be a part of a group. FOMO is heavily rooted in the human desire to be a part of something and connect with others. So, seeing someone doing something enjoyable or valuable can amplify your fear that you’re missing out. Seeing someone having fun and winning at your favorite casino game online, for example, can drive you to play more than you should because you’re chasing those same wins and the enjoyment the other person looks to be experiencing.
Comparisons
Comparisons, especially with peers or societal expectations, contribute significantly to FOMO. The tendency to measure one’s own experiences against those of others can generate a fear of falling behind or not living up to perceived standards.
Uncertainty or Ambiguity
FOMO thrives in situations of uncertainty or ambiguity. You don’t know what’ll happen, so FOMO drives you to take unnecessary risks or make impulsive decisions based on the fear that something exciting or beneficial might happen, only for you to miss it.
Regret
Regret is also one of the biggest drivers of FOMO, especially for someone who has missed out on a potentially profitable opportunity when playing online casino real-money games in the past. FOMO leads people to dwell on that sense of disappointment from not participating, and this regret only gets stronger, so they are more likely to make impulsive decisions in the future.
Who Is Vulnerable to FOMO?
FOMO can strike many different kinds of people, including:
- People who evaluate themselves in relation to others.
- Those who feel a strong need to belong in a community.
- People who need approval from others and also want to feel popular.
- Those who pay a lot of attention to the state of mind of others, particularly when it comes to positive social interactions.
- Extroverts who are stimulated by group energy.
- People who aren’t comfortable determining their own path.
How do you know if you’re a person who is vulnerable to experiencing FOMO when playing casino table games or online casino games? It’s important to recognize when to stop gambling or when you should take a break from casino games because you’re basing your decisions on the fear of missing out. Here are some warning signs to look out for.
Texting or Surfing the Web While Driving
This warning sign might be surprising, but cyberpsychology researcher Jon Elhai says: “FOMO is a powerful motivator of behavior, including smartphone checking behavior. The finding of smartphone checking despite driving shows participants were engaging in very risky and harmful behavior.”
Your Answer to Every Question Is “Yes”
This could apply to holding when you should be folding in poker or answering in the affirmative to every social invitation you receive.
Feeling Oddly Unhappy When Gambling
If you’re hitting live dealer casino games but finding yourself miserable and/or anxious, FOMO is more likely to strike. If you’re not in the right frame of mind to make rational decisions, walk away. Online casinos use various forms of technology, like encryption software, to protect you, but you also need to protect yourself and assess your state of mind when gambling.
Spending Too Much Time on Social Media
FOMO is often associated with social media, where you repeatedly check various platforms in case you’ve missed out on something. Do you find yourself checking social media immediately upon waking, during meals, and right before going to sleep? This is a red flag.
Being Motivated by What Others Think of You
Do you regularly do (or not do) something based on what others might think? If so, you may be susceptible to FOMO in unsafe scenarios.
How To Stop FOMO When Gambling in Casinos
Now that you understand what FOMO is, how can you stop yourself from experiencing this potentially problematic feeling when playing casino games, whether online or at a land-based casino?
If you want to prioritize responsible gambling but often find yourself falling into the FOMO trap, start by trying to understand your trigger. Could it be that when you’re losing at casino table games, a sense of FOMO kicks in? Perhaps watching other people win sets you off. Try to understand your emotional state when a feeling of FOMO takes hold of you.
Once you’ve identified your trigger, try to distract yourself when that trigger occurs. For example, if you’re triggered by watching TikTok videos of people winning online slots, then rather avoid these videos. You can even write a note to stick on your computer screen to remind yourself not to worry about what others are doing. And remember, you can choose how you want to allocate your attention.
It’s important not only to recognize your FOMO triggers but also to notice when you’re experiencing an episode of FOMO before you make any of those potentially costly impulsive calls. As soon as you do, your first step should be to step away from the game you’re playing as soon as possible. If that option isn’t immediately available, try reminding yourself of the house edge. All casino games online and in brick-and-mortar casinos are designed to favor the house, so even if you see others winning, it doesn’t mean you’ll have the same luck. Don’t get caught up in the excitement and forget the statistical realities.
Of course, it’s also essential to keep your mindset on playing casino games for fun rather than profit. If you’re solely focused on winning to make money, the pressure can lead to impulsive decisions and increase those feelings of FOMO.
Finally, if you’re having a hard time controlling your impulses and notice FOMO creeping in more often, it might be time to put the online casino’s time-out and self-exclusion features to use. These features allow you to temporarily ban yourself from gambling, giving you some time to cool off and reassess your gambling behavior.
Enjoy Playing Fun Casino Games With BetMGM Casino
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Try your hand at online casino games, casino table games, and live dealer casino games, or teach yourself how to play roulette at a casino. Play safely and responsibly when you register today and grab your casino Welcome Bonus at BetMGM.
Remember to explore the BetMGM blog further for more advice on responsible gambling and gaming tips, such as life and gaming hacks.
