A Slot is a type of computer game in which players place bets, spin a set of reels with symbols and hope that they land on a winning combination. The size of a win is determined by the symbol combinations and the pay table. Some slots display a complete list of all possible wins, while others are more abbreviated due to space limitations or, mainly with touchscreen displays, require an interactive series of images to be switched between in order to see the full range of potential jackpot amounts.

While most gamblers enjoy their gambling experience as harmless entertainment, a small but significant subset of gamblers can experience serious problems with their gambling behavior. These problems can lead to financial difficulties, personal relationships, work-related issues and even involvement in illegal activities in order to finance their gambling habits. While some researchers have investigated factors that contribute to this allure of the slot machine, little is known about the specific aspects of the slot-machine environment that are responsible.

Slot manufacturers are in a race to understand what it is about their games that make them so addictive and keep players coming back for more. One firm that has done a lot of this research is ReelMetrics, which has been helping casinos and other operators figure out what makes their slot games successful. Other developers are relying more on data from their own games to identify patterns and learn what features actually appeal to players.