A growing body of research suggests that the visual environment in gambling spaces might be subtly shaping behavior, and not necessarily for the better. A recent study conducted by Flinders University and Monash University in Australia has linked blue-enriched lighting—commonly found in casinos and emitted by LED displays—to a measurable reduction in sensitivity to financial loss. This lighting effect may lead players to take bigger risks than they normally would.

Published in Scientific Reports, the research explored how specific light wavelengths impact decision-making during gambling. The team used a controlled experimental setup in which 15 young adult participants, 10 women and five men aged 18 to 27, completed simulated gambling tasks under two lighting conditions: one with blue-heavy illumination and the other with reduced blue light. While visual brightness was held constant, the lighting was manipulated to influence “melanopic” brightness—stimulating the body’s circadian photoreceptors.

Lead researcher Dr. Alicia Lander of the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) Sleep Health team explained, “We found that light with more blue wavelengths in it, which is frequently emitted by LED screens and casino lighting, could subtly influence how people perceive losses and gains.”

This isn’t just a curiosity about interior design; it raises questions about the ethical implications of lighting in gambling spaces, both physical and online.

Blue Light Alters Risk Perception and Gender Response

Participants in the study showed a clear shift in behavior under blue-enriched light. They were more inclined to take financial risks and appeared less averse to potential losses. Under normal lighting, a $100 loss was felt more acutely than a $100 gain—a well-documented human tendency known as loss aversion. But this balance shifted under blue-rich lighting, where losses didn’t seem as severe.

“Under conditions where the lighting emitted less blue, people tended to feel a $100 loss much more strongly than a $100 gain—the loss just feels worse,” said Dr. Lander. “But under bright, blue-heavy light such as that seen in casino machines, the $100 loss didn’t appear to feel as bad, so people were more willing to take the risk.”

Interestingly, the study also found gender differences in risk tolerance. Women were consistently more loss-averse than men under both lighting conditions. According to Dr. Lander, this reflects prior studies indicating women may react more emotionally to uncertain financial situations, while men are generally more tolerant of risk.

Senior author Professor Sean Cain added that the observed effects are likely rooted in brain regions involved in decision-making and emotional regulation, such as the amygdala and habenula. “Under light with more blue wavelengths, people may be less able to accurately judge risk and reward due to a decreased cognitive sensitivity to loss,” he said.

Implications for Casinos and Online Gambling Platforms

Modern gambling environments, from casino floors to smartphone apps, often feature intense blue lighting as part of their design. These new findings suggest that such design choices may do more than set the mood—they might actually reduce a player’s natural caution and promote impulsive gambling.

While the researchers acknowledge limitations due to the small sample size, they argue that the results point to the need for further studies. If confirmed, simple interventions—such as reducing the blue wavelength in casino lighting—could help foster more responsible gambling environments.

Professor Cain concluded, “It is possible that simply dimming the ‘blue’ in casino lights could help promote safer gambling behaviors.”

Though the experiment took place under lab conditions, the consistency of the findings across multiple reports makes it a compelling case for reconsidering how lighting affects behavior in high-stakes environments.

Casino operators are experts at creating environments that keep players engaged. That’s the business they’re in. Even if your go-to casino doesn’t seem especially “blue” at first glance, take a closer look next time—you’ll probably spot plenty of blue tones lighting up slot machine screens, cashier stations, and gaming tables.