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Deciding When to Quit: Reference-Dependence over Slot Machine Outcomes

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Listed:
  • Jaimie W. Lien
  • Jie Zheng

Abstract

We conduct tests for reference dependent loss aversion using slot machine gamblers' decisions on when to quit playing for a visit to a casino. Evidence for a lagged status-quo reference point is found in the aggregate, while endogenously determined reference points are found when conditioning on betting intensity choices. Significant deviations from the distributions implied by random quitting support the loss aversion and diminishing sensitivity hypotheses.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaimie W. Lien & Jie Zheng, 2015. "Deciding When to Quit: Reference-Dependence over Slot Machine Outcomes," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(5), pages 366-370, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:105:y:2015:i:5:p:366-70
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.p20151036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William R. Eadington, 1999. "The Economics of Casino Gambling," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 13(3), pages 173-192, Summer.
    2. Botond Kőszegi & Matthew Rabin, 2006. "A Model of Reference-Dependent Preferences," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 121(4), pages 1133-1165.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aurélien Baillon & Han Bleichrodt & Vitalie Spinu, 2020. "Searching for the Reference Point," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 66(1), pages 93-112, January.
    2. Vicky Henderson & Jonathan Muscat, 2020. "Partial liquidation under reference-dependent preferences," Finance and Stochastics, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 335-357, April.
    3. Zhang, Mu & Zheng, Jie, 2017. "A robust reference-dependent model for speculative bubbles," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 232-258.
    4. Chao, Ching-Hsiang & Huang, Chih-Jen & Ho, Ruey-Jenn & Huang, Hsin-Yi, 2022. "Catering to investors through capital expenditures: Testing assets substitution problem around financing," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    5. Mahasuweerachai, Phumsith & Mahariwirasami, Anucha, 2019. "Benefiting from our biases: Inducing saving increases among Thai military officers," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    6. Crawford, Vincent P. & Jin, Miao & Meng, Juanjuan & Yao, Lan, 2025. "Expectations-based reference-dependence and labor supply: Eliciting cabdrivers’ expectations in the field," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    7. Fabrice Lec & Serge Macé, 2018. "The curse of hope," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 84(3), pages 429-451, May.
    8. Zhenhua Feng & Jaimie W. Lien & Jie Zheng, 2018. "Keeping up with the Neighbors: Social Interaction in a Production Economy," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-14, September.
    9. Macera, Rosario, 2018. "Intertemporal incentives under loss aversion," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 551-594.
    10. Deng, Yiting & Staelin, Richard & Wang, Wei & Boulding, William, 2018. "Consumer sophistication, word-of-mouth and “False” promotions," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 98-123.
    11. Piccolo, Salvatore & Pignataro, Aldo, 2018. "Consumer loss aversion, product experimentation and tacit collusion," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 49-77.
    12. Kapalczynski, Anna & Lien, Donald, 2021. "Effectiveness of Augmented Dollar-Cost Averaging," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    13. Aldo Pignataro, 2019. "The effects of loss aversion on deceptive advertising policies," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 87(4), pages 451-472, November.
    14. Andrea Lippi & Laura Barbieri & Mariacristina Piva & Werner De Bondt, 2018. "Time-varying risk behavior and prior investment outcomes: Evidence from Italy," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 13(5), pages 471-483, September.
    15. Kozo UEDA & Fei Gao, 2024. "How Do Gamblers React to Wins? Evidence from Bank Transaction Data in Japan," CIGS Working Paper Series 24-019E, The Canon Institute for Global Studies.
    16. Deiana, C & Dragone, D & Giua, L, 2024. "Addictive Consumption, Imperfect Substitutes and Self Control: A Model and an Application to Slot Machines," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 24/21, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    17. Lippi, Andrea & Barbieri, Laura & Piva, Mariacristina & De Bondt, Werner, 2018. "Time-varying risk behavior and prior investment outcomes: Evidence from Italy," Judgment and Decision Making, Cambridge University Press, vol. 13(5), pages 471-483, September.
    18. Macera, Rosario, 2018. "Present or future incentives? On the optimality of fixed wages with moral hazard," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 129-144.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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