Michael Thornton
Investigative Journalist Covering Gambling Psychology and Consumer Behaviour
Michael Thornton is an investigative journalist whose work examines the intersection of gambling, psychology, and consumer decision-making. He specialises in analysing player motivation, cognitive biases, risk perception, and the behavioural design techniques used in modern gaming platforms. His reporting frequently explores how reward systems, near-miss effects, and personalised digital experiences influence engagement and long-term player habits.
With more than a decade of experience covering behavioural science and technology, Thornton is known for translating academic research into practical insights for readers interested in the psychology of gaming, online behaviour, and digital entertainment culture.
Articles by Michael Thornton
The Psychology of Gambling Why the Brain Keeps Chasing the Next Bet
Gambling rarely feels like a problem while it is becoming one. It feels like fun, then like a habit, then like something a person cannot quite explain…
Why Poker Machines Make Losing Feel Like Winning
There is a comfortable myth that surrounds poker machines: that they are simple games of chance, and that the people who lose too much on them are unl…