A recent study has suggested there are some practices used by video games developers and providers, including real-money gambling, token wagering, social casino spending, etc., which are considered significantly associated with problem gambling.
As revealed by the study, the potentially dangerous links to gambling addiction have been originating from a range of video game practices. The latest findings came from a research building on a previous study by the same author, Dr David Zendle, which has revealed that a link between loot boxes offered in some video games and problem gambling existed.
A year ago, a team of University of York academics, including Dr Zendle, contributed to an inquiry initiated by a select committee of the House of Commons and insisted that loot boxes offered in video games should be regulated as gambling. Key evidence was also provided by Dr Zendle to the recent inquiry of the select committee of the House of Lords that recommends the regulation of loot boxes and in-game items as gambling.
Now, the most recent research suggests that a number of other practices in video games, including gambling with real money, social casino spending and token wagering, are also considerably linked to problem gambling. Further evidence was provided that players, who are more engaged in some of the abovementioned practices, are more susceptible to developing a gambling disorder – a condition that is described with repeated and persistent engagement with video gaming that ends up causing distress or significant harm to the individual affected by it.
Dr David Zendle from the University of York’s Department of Computer Science, who authored both studies, explained that the findings of the new research suggest that the link between video gaming and gambling addiction is more complex than many people believe.
Multiple Practices in Gaming Involve Elements Associated with Gambling
Dr Zendle shared that the relationship between problem gambling and video gaming is not only based on loot boxes, but can also trace multiple novel practices in gaming that closely involve elements that are closely related to gambling. Apart from that, all of these elements are also associated with gambling addiction, as the study’s findings say, and this may pose a significant public health risk. The author of the study also insisted that further research is necessary.
A group of almost 1,100 people took part in the study, with the individuals sampled to represent the UK population in terms of gender, age and ethnicity. The participants were then asked questions regarding their gaming and gambling habits.
The findings showed that a significant part of the participants in the study – 18.5% – had engaged in some activities associated with both gambling and gaming, such as loot box purchases in video games or playing a social casino game.
As the author of the research further noted, currently, there are some loopholes that mean certain video game elements that are related to gambling avoid proper regulation. So-called social casinos are considered one of these elements, as they are categorised as a simulation of gambling – players can spend real money but are unable to convert their winnings into cash, which prevents the practice from being regulated as gambling. Dr Zendle insists that the UK Government should unveil regulations that would address all the similarities and links between video games and gambling, because loot boxes are not the only element of video games that brings such association.
- Author
Daniel Williams
