What gamblers and pigeons share

Gamblers are more likely to take risks if a high-value reward is up for grabs, a new study has found.

According to research by the University of Warwick, published in Biology Letters, people are 35 per cent less risk-averse if a lucrative prize is on offer.

Dr Elliot Ludvig, who led the study, believes these actions are influenced partly by their memories of previous winning bets.