Meta-analysis of the relationship between problem gambling, excessive gaming and loot box spending

Garea, Shaun S.; Drummond, Aaron; Sauer, James D.; Hall, Lauren C.; Williams, Matthew

doi:10.1080/14459795.2021.1914705

Cited by 80 publications

(105 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Some authors claim that loot boxes introduce gambling elements into gaming and argue that they may act as a gateway to problematic gambling or that they could aggravate gambling or gaming-related harm [ 5 – 7 , 13 ]. Whether the excessive use of loot boxes is best conceptualized under the theoretical framework of problem gambling or problem/excessive gaming is also under debate [ 4 , 13 , 14 ]. A recent meta-analysis found a small but potentially clinically relevant relationship between gambling symptomatology and loot box spending.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent meta-analysis found a small but potentially clinically relevant relationship between gambling symptomatology and loot box spending. It was also shown that this association was at least as large as that found between excessive gaming symptoms and loot box spending, suggesting the need for further research [ 14 ]. Some longitudinal studies have also pointed out that problematic gaming appears to be an entry behavior to problematic gambling [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, scoping reviews allow us to identify further areas for subsequent research and clarify whether a systematic review may be conducted to address more specific questions [ 33 ]. Two systematic reviews about loot boxes have recently been published [ 14 , 34 ], but they focused exclusively on the relationship between loot-box-related spending and problem gaming and/or gambling. These reviews did not summarize the prevalence of engagement with loot boxes or provide separate data for adolescents versus adults.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loot box engagement: A scoping review of primary studies on prevalence and association with problematic gaming and gambling

et al. 2022

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Background Loot boxes are an increasingly common type of random microtransaction in videogames. There is some concern about their expansion and entailed risks, especially among adolescents. The actual prevalence of engagement with loot boxes among child and adult population is uncertain, and there is still controversy over the nature of their relationship with problematic gaming and gambling. Objectives The aims of this scoping review are to summarize the characteristics and findings of published primary empirical studies about the prevalence of engagement with loot boxes and/or their relationship with problematic gaming and gambling, taking in account the type of sample, time frame and measured variables. Methods This study follows the Joanna Briggs Institute’s “Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews” and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Three academic databases provided 299 articles. Results Sixteen primary empirical studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. All studies used cross-sectional designs, and most used convenience samples. Twelve study samples were comprised exclusively of gamers, and two were comprised of gamers and/or gamblers. Only six studies included adolescents. The annual prevalence rate of loot box purchases was higher for adult gamers than for adolescents (22.7%–44.2% and 20%–33.9%, respectively), but in studies with general population samples, the opposite was true (24.9% for players aged 13–14 versus 7.8% for adults). In general, the studies suggested a significant positive relationship between engagement with loot boxes and problematic gaming and gambling, but this may be related to the type of engagement (open/purchase/sell), and the characteristics of the study participants (male/female, adolescents/adults, gamers/gamers-gamblers/general population). Conclusions This scoping review summarizes the results of recent empirical studies on engagement with loot boxes and discusses how methodological issues may affect their results and interpretation. Recommendations for future research are also provided.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loot box engagement: A scoping review of primary studies on prevalence and association with problematic gaming and gambling

et al. 2022

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“…This encompasses Embedded-Embedded and Embedded-Isolated loot boxes under Nielsen and Grabarczyk's categorisation (2019). Further, loot box purchasing has been found to be positively correlated with problem gambling severity in more than a dozen empirical studies in Western countries [17], e.g., the US [18], Australasia [19], Denmark [20] and Germany [21]. Players with higher problem gambling severity tend to spend more money purchasing loot boxes [22].…”

Section: Potential Harms: Links With Problem Gamblingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loot Boxes, Gambling-Like Mechanics in Video Games

Xiao¹,

Henderson²,

Nielsen³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Cite as: Xiao L.Y., Henderson L.L., Nielsen R.K.L., Grabarczyk P., & Newall P.W.S. (2021). Loot Boxes, Gambling-Like Mechanics in Video Games. In N. Lee (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Computer Graphics and Games. Springer. Loot boxes are mechanics often found in video games that provide the player with randomised virtual rewards. Some loot boxes can be paid for with real-world money and therefore share structural and psychological similarities with gambling.

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“…This note makes three points in response and counterargues that any judgment and comments on whether these measures are 'effective' ought to be reserved until empirical evidence proves one way or the other. The PRC's policy is arguably neither potentially ineffective nor draconian, and indeed is arguably already benefiting underage PRC videogame players in at least one identifiable way: enhancing their consumer protection by effectively reducing their monetary spending on videogames, including specifically on randomised, gambling-like mechanics known as 'loot boxes' (Drummond et al, 2020;Drummond & Sauer, 2018;Xiao, Henderson, Nielsen, et al, 2021), which have been linked to problem gambling (Garea et al, 2021;Spicer et al, 2021;Zendle & Cairns, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reserve your judgment on “Draconian” Chinese video gaming restrictions on children • Commentary on: Draconian policy measures are unlikely to prevent disordered gaming (Colder Carras et al., 2021)

Xiao¹

2021

Preprint

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China imposed strict restrictions on young people’s participation in videogaming from September 2021. Colder Carras et al.’s commentary (2021) referred to this policy as ‘draconian,’ i.e., ‘excessively harsh and severe.’ However, any opinion on whether this policy is ‘draconian’ is a value judgment, and any judgment on its ‘effectiveness’ ought to be reserved until proven or disproven by empirical evidence. Indeed, the Chinese policy is neither potentially ineffective nor draconian, and is already providing at least one identifiable benefit: enhancing consumer protection by effectively reducing underage players’ monetary spending on videogames, including on randomised, gambling-like mechanics known as ‘loot boxes.’

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Meta-analysis of the relationship between problem gambling, excessive gaming and loot box spending

Cited by 80 publications

References 42 publications

Loot box engagement: A scoping review of primary studies on prevalence and association with problematic gaming and gambling

Loot box engagement: A scoping review of primary studies on prevalence and association with problematic gaming and gambling

Loot Boxes, Gambling-Like Mechanics in Video Games

Reserve your judgment on “Draconian” Chinese video gaming restrictions on children • Commentary on: Draconian policy measures are unlikely to prevent disordered gaming (Colder Carras et al., 2021)

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