Beware of Gambling in Video Games

Video games offer many benefits for young players, including creative titles like Blue Sky Games. They can support early learning, improve memory and concentration, and encourage social connection. However, when gambling features appear in video games, there are important risks to consider. Below are some of the main concerns.

Beware of Gambling in Video Games: Understanding Risks and Staying Safe

The Risks of Video Game Gambling

Gambling continues to rise among young people. A 2020 study found that 30% of children aged 12 to 17 had gambled within the last year, many for the first time at ages 11 or 12. Around 3–4% of these individuals were identified as having a problem or being at risk.

Video games with gambling features expose players to specific harms. These include changes in brain chemistry, behavior linked to addiction, and marketing strategies aimed at young players. Each of these risks can negatively affect players in different ways.

Psychological Impact on Players

Gambling in video games triggers dopamine release in the brain, which reinforces the appeal of risk-taking. This chemical reaction makes players feel rewarded, even when the outcome depends on chance. Video games often use variable reward systems similar to gambling, such as loot boxes and randomized prizes, to keep players engaged.

This repeated stimulation can lead to changes in how the brain responds to rewards, potentially increasing the desire to keep playing and spending money. Players may start to associate excitement and satisfaction with gambling actions rather than skill or achievement. This can affect decision-making and self-control over time, leading to increased risk-taking behavior.

Addiction and Compulsive Spending

The gambling-like features in video games can lead to addiction and compulsive spending. Some players spend more money than they intend on microtransactions, loot boxes, or social casino games. These features mimic betting and can make it hard to stop, especially since the odds and costs are often unclear.

Limited spending controls in many games increase financial risks. Without clear limits, some players keep purchasing digital items hoping for rewards, which can lead to significant money loss. Addiction to these features may also lead to negative effects on mental health, such as stress and anxiety related to money problems.

Targeting Young Audiences

Video game companies often design gambling mechanics that appeal to young players. These players may not fully understand the risks or how gambling works. Bright colors, fast rewards, and social aspects make gambling-like features more attractive to children and teens.

Young players exposed to gambling mechanics at an early age may be more likely to develop gambling behaviors later in life. They also risk developing problematic spending habits before they can make informed choices. This targeting raises ethical concerns and calls for more transparency and protection measures in games popular among youth.

Recognizing Gambling Features in Games

Many video games include features that resemble gambling. These often involve paying money for uncertain rewards. Players and parents should be aware of how these features work, their risks, and the rules that govern them.

Loot Boxes and Randomized Rewards

Loot boxes are rewards that rely entirely on chance and can be purchased with real money, which may accumulate over time. When opened, they give random items like weapons, skins, or characters. The outcome is uncertain, similar to a lottery. Players may spend money repeatedly trying to get rare rewards.

These mechanics encourage continued spending because the reward is based on chance. Prices vary from a few cents to over a hundred dollars. The random chance element makes loot boxes a gambling-like feature, especially concerning for younger players.

Loot boxes can affect gameplay by giving advantages or cosmetic items. Their uncertain nature often leads to frustration or addiction-like behavior, highlighting why recognizing them is important.

In-Game Purchases Mimicking Gambling

Besides loot boxes, some games use microtransactions that look like gambling. These include features like battle passes and token wagering, where players pay real money to play virtual games of chance.

In-game purchases might offer random rewards or betting options with real or virtual currency. Players can quickly lose track of spending due to constant prompts and flashy designs.

These systems blur the line between gaming and gambling. They can especially impact youth because of addictive mechanics designed to encourage repeated spending. Recognizing these features can help players avoid unintentional gambling behaviors.

Precautions You Can Take

If a child or someone you know may be struggling with online gambling, there are practical steps you can take to help:

• Open a conversation about gambling in a gentle, indirect way.
• Ask questions when gambling appears in the news or advertising, such as the odds of winning or the amount spent on sports betting ads.
• Supervise gameplay by having them play in the same room.
• Activate settings or controls to limit in-game spending.
• Try the game yourself to better understand risks and discuss them.
• Implement time limits and encourage regular breaks.
• Use an email alert system to flag purchases, helping manage or discourage unnecessary spending.

Legal and Regulatory Concerns

Loot boxes and similar features have raised legal questions worldwide. Some countries consider them a form of gambling and regulate or ban them. Others require disclosure of odds to players.

Regulations often focus on protecting minors who may not understand gambling risks. In some regions, game companies must provide information about the chances for rare items.

Laws vary, so games may have different rules depending on where they are sold. Awareness of these legal efforts helps players and parents understand when a game crosses into gambling territory. Regulators are working to balance industry innovation with player safety.

Study: Gambling in Video Games Goes Way Beyond Loot Boxes

Blue Sky Counseling Omaha

I, Carly Spring, M.S., LIMHP, LADC, CPC, offer my specialized expertise to assist in the healing process to anyone who may be experiencing and suffering from a vast spectrum of mental health issues. Such mental health issues include behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, addiction issues, and life transitions. I believe strongly in applying a holistic perspective addressing your whole person not just the bits and pieces of you. Contact us with any questions or to discuss gambling addiction services in Omaha today.