Adolescents and loot boxes: links with problem gambling and motivations for purchase

Abstract

Loot boxes are items in video games that can be paid for with real-world money but contain randomized contents. Many games that feature loot boxes are played by adolescents. Similarities between loot boxes and gambling have led to concern that they are linked to the development of problem gambling in adolescents. Previous research has shown links between loot boxes and problem gambling in adult populations. However, thus far, there is no empirical evidence of either the size or existence of a link between loot box spending and problem gambling in adolescents. A large-scale survey of 16- to 18-year-olds ( n = 1155) found evidence for such a link ( η 2 = 0.120). The link between loot box spending and problem gambling among these older adolescents was of moderate to large magnitude. It was stronger than relationships previously observed in adults. Qualitative analysis of text data showed that gamers bought loot boxes for a variety of reasons. Several of these motivations were similar to common reasons for engaging in gambling. Overall, these results suggest that loot boxes either cause problem gambling among older adolescents, allow game companies to profit from adolescents with gambling problems for massive monetary rewards, or both of the above. Possible strategies for regulation and restriction are given.

The relationship between problem gambling, excessive gaming, psychological distress and spending on loot boxes in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and the United States—A cross-national survey

“…The variable ratio reinforcement schedules used in loot boxes are common to gambling and, as they do in conventional gambling activities, might plausibly cause players to feel that the next opening will yield a valuable prize, resulting in increased spending [1]. This may explain why, compared to non-problem gamblers, problem gamblers spend significantly more on loot box systems [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. We note, that although mean spending amongst problem gamblers is typically reported as being low, between $40-50 USD per month, this figure is drawn from research primarily involving samples of convenience and requires representative sampling to validate.…”

“…Despite the rapid increase in research investigating the relationship between loot boxes and gambling, much remains unknown about the relationship between player engagement with loot boxes and problem gambling symptomology. Most of the work in this area has been undertaken with samples self-selecting into online surveys [5], or by specifically targeting populations likely to be heavy gamers [7,8,10,12].…”

“…For instance, there is debate about whether excessive spending on loot boxes is better contextualized within the framework of problem gambling [11] or excessive gaming [16]. Although there have been numerous studies highlighting relationships between problem gambling and loot box spending [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]13], some argue that excessive game use could also plausibly contribute to the relationship in a meaningful way [6,16]. Under this interpretation, having increased time investment in the activity of video gaming is thought to potentially increase the desire to obtain items from loot boxes [16], and because some loot boxes can be earned through gameplay, it is also thought that desire to obtain more loot boxes might increase playtimes exacerbating any underlying excessive gameplay [5,16].…”

Frequency of engagement with legal UK youth gambling products is associated with adult disordered gambling

“…Loot boxes vary in the extent to which their contents can be exchanged for prizes of economic value, leading to academic and regulatory debate about whether this activity constitutes gambling or not (Brooks & Clark, 2019;Drummond & Sauer, 2018;Gambling Commission, 2017). The widespread inclusion of loot boxes in video games is relatively recent, meaning that any association between child loot box engagement and adult disordered gambling may not be known for some time, although some worrying trends among adolescents are apparent (Zendle, Meyer, & Over, 2019). By comparison, the UK has for some time allowed a number of gambling products to be used by children under the age of 18.…”

Ethereum Crypto-Games: Mechanics, Prevalence, and Gambling Similarities

“…Discussion so far surrounding the convergence of gaming, specifically mechanics in games, and gambling have been limited to loot boxes and gacha games. Discussions include, but are not limited to, their relation to problematic gambling severity [34], and impact on adolescent behaviours [36]. Our initial definitional analysis notably cannot speak to the actual psychological and behavioural effects of crypto-game play, and to what extent it approximates problem gambling.…”