Online gaming has exploded in India over the past few years, becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry with millions of daily users. But behind the thrill, flashy rewards, and constant notifications lies a darker reality—many players are unknowingly being manipulated into spending more than they can afford. Recently, an expert revealed shocking insights into how these gaming platforms operate, including how they identify heavy spenders, target them, and psychologically nudge them into depositing more money. One victim reportedly lost Rs 40,000, believing he was close to winning every time, only to discover he had fallen into a well-designed psychological trap.
This article takes a closer look at how online gaming apps work, the tactics they use to lure users, the science behind why people overspend, and what players can do to protect themselves.
mallorcasupport.com | weigesy.com | sellersfederation.com
acopyabove.com | clinstech.com
The Illusion of Winning: The First Hook
Most gaming apps—whether card games, fantasy sports, or digital casinos—use a simple strategy to get new users hooked: they let them win in the beginning. Experts say that apps often allow beginners to experience small wins or near wins during the first few sessions.
These early successes create two false beliefs:
-
“I’m good at this, I can win more.”
-
“If I just try once more, I will recover my loss.”
This is where the trap begins. Wins are not random; they are intentionally placed to build confidence and emotional investment before the real losses start rolling in.
How the Apps Identify Big Spenders: The ‘Whales’
Insiders from gaming companies have revealed that platforms label heavy spenders as “whales”—a term borrowed from real-world casinos. Whales are users who spend large amounts of money without stopping, usually in hopes of hitting a big win.
But it doesn’t end there.
Whales get special treatment
According to experts:
-
Apps monitor how much money users deposit.
-
Those who spend frequently or lose heavily are flagged in the system.
-
A special internal team is assigned to these users.
These teams then call whales regularly, offering:
-
Bonus credits
-
“Limited-time” rewards
-
Personal assistance
-
Insider tips
-
Emotional support (“Sir, you were so close! Next game you’ll win big.”)
This creates a personalised trap, gradually turning entertainment into compulsion.
Daily Calls: How Companies Push Users to Deposit More
The expert’s account is alarming: some companies have full-time staff dedicated to calling heavy spenders every day.
A typical call might sound harmless—“Sir, you haven’t played today,” or “Just deposit Rs 500 and get Rs 200 bonus”—but these nudges are designed to reignite the urge to play.
Psychologists say these tactics target the reward centre of the brain. Even if the user stopped playing because of exhaustion or financial stress, a simple phone call is enough to pull them back in.
For the Rs 40,000 victim mentioned earlier, these repeated calls convinced him that he was always close to winning, pushing him deeper into the cycle.
The Science Behind the Trap: Why Players Keep Losing Money
Online gaming companies use advanced behavioural science to keep users playing:
1. The Near-Miss Effect
A near miss (for example, losing by just one point) activates the same brain regions as a win.
Users feel:
“I was so close! One more try.”
Apps intentionally design many near-miss situations to maintain user hope.
2. Variable Rewards
Unlike predictable games, online gaming apps use random reward systems, the same mechanism used in casinos and slot machines.
You never know:
-
When you’ll win
-
How much you’ll win
-
Why you lost
The unpredictability keeps players glued to the screen, hoping the next attempt will be the lucky one.
3. Sunk Cost Fallacy
Once users have lost a big chunk of money, they think:
“Let me just win once and recover everything.”
But in reality, this mindset only leads to deeper losses.
4. Dopamine Loop
Winning—even a small amount—releases dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical.
Gaming apps are engineered to:
-
Trigger dopamine repeatedly
-
Keep users emotionally charged
-
Reduce rational thinking
This is exactly how addictions form.
The Real Cost: Emotional and Financial Damage
The financial loss is obvious—like the man who lost Rs 40,000. But the emotional damage is often worse.
Victims report:
-
Anxiety
-
Sleeplessness
-
Guilt
-
Strained family relationships
-
Stress over unpaid bills
-
Shame about their dependency on gaming
Some even hide their spending or borrow money to continue playing, hoping to recover losses that never come back.
Why People Don’t Quit Even After Big Losses
Psychologists say online gaming triggers the same neural pattern seen in alcohol or gambling addiction.
Users stay trapped because:
-
The app keeps giving hope through near wins
-
The “recover your loss” belief is strong
-
Calls and bonuses constantly lure them back
-
They underestimate how much they’ve spent
-
They believe their “luck will change soon”
The combination of emotional highs and financial lows creates a vicious cycle that’s hard to break.
Are These Apps Legal? The Confusing Grey Area
Many online gaming platforms operate in a grey zone.
Some state laws allow “games of skill,” while others ban “games of chance.” Companies exploit this confusion by marketing their apps as:
-
Skill-based
-
Legal entertainment
-
Safe for all users
In reality, most games have elements of chance that make them addictive and unpredictable.
How to Protect Yourself from Falling into the Trap
Experts recommend these steps to stay safe:
1. Set a hard spending limit
Never exceed the amount you can afford to lose.
2. Check your emotional state
Avoid playing when:
-
Stressed
-
Angry
-
Bored
-
Lonely
These states increase impulsive decisions.
3. Turn off notifications
Push alerts are designed to pull you back into the game.
4. Block daily calls from gaming apps
If they keep calling you, it’s because they have identified you as a high-value target.
5. Track your spending
Most users don’t realize how much they’ve deposited until they check their bank statements.
6. Seek help if needed
If gaming is affecting your finances or mental health, speak to a counselor or support professional.
Conclusion
Online gaming apps may look harmless, but many of them use sophisticated psychological tools to keep users trapped, spending, and hoping for recovery. The story of the man who lost Rs 40,000 is not an isolated case—it reflects a growing problem that thousands of users face across India. With personalised targeting, constant calls, and manipulative reward systems, these platforms are turning entertainment into addiction.
Understanding how the system works is the first step toward protecting yourself and making informed choices before it’s too late.
