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Gambling, Gaming & Technology Use Community of Interest

The Gambling, Gaming & Technology Use Community of Interest brings together addiction and mental health service providers, researchers and subject matter experts in the fields of gambling, technology/Internet use and video gaming to collaborate and share knowledge on emerging trends and clinical best practices.

Tagged With "video games"

Discussion Topic

CTV interview Should addiction to video games be considered a disease?

Registered Member ·
Hello, Yesterday morning, fresh off the heels of his attendance at the Royal Wedding, Ben Mulroney interviewed me about the inclusion of video game disorder into the ICD-11. Have a look: What do you think? Should it be classified as a disease?
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Sports Bettors: Who Are They?

Registered Member ·
Admittedly, I've never considered what skills (if any) exist to successfully bid on both professional and amateur sporting events. What are the distinctions between chance and skill when betting on the outcome of, say, a hockey game? A new systematic review in the Journal of Gambling Issues attempts to address this question, and others, in order to better understand the profile of a sports bettor. It's an interesting read, and one that opens discussions on an important field of research.
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How "Fortnite" is changing the gaming market

Registered Member ·
The game Fortnite is a free game that can be played on mobile devices. Because of these savvy choices, more and more women are playing this game, helping to propel is to possibly generate 3.5 billion dollars in revenue. They also offer more representation for women, which is something different as well. How 'Fortnite' unlocked the most active gamers on mobile It's interesting how they have begun to cater to women, and that choice is really paying off for them.
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Blog: Parenting Through Video Game Disorder

Registered Member ·
A newly released blog on Learn.ProblemGambling.ca highlights some of the challenges of parenting a child with problem video gaming. The blog was contributed by Elaine Uskoski, a holistic health social service worker and author of the book Seeing Through the Cracks . She discusses the experience of finding out her 19-year old son has a video game disorder and how they worked together to get him to where he is today. Read her blog here .
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CBC News - Gaming disorder formally recognized

Registered Member ·
Elaine Uskoski and her son, Jake, shared their powerful and moving story of their struggle with video game addiction at our annual Forum * earlier this week *(Ontario Problem Gambling & Behavioural Addictions Provincial Forum June 18-19, 2018) Their presentation at the Forum happened to coincide with WHO's release of their new International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which CBC showcased on The National on June 18, 2018. To view the interview, click below!
Discussion Topic

"Are video game transactions too much like gambling?"

Registered Member ·
Here is a link to the article in the Toronto Star: https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/gaming/2018/06/19/are-video-game-transactions-too-much-like-gambling.html One of the things that I said in the interview for the article that I wish the writer would have included, was that even though the transactions may not meet the technical definition of gambling, the fact that people may not get the item they want when they purchase something in a loot box, may result in them going back multiple...
Discussion Topic

"Loot Boxes" - gambling or not?

Registered Member ·
We have seen a rise in gaming/skill-based elements in gambling, and an increase in gambling-related elements in online gaming over the years. There are growing concerns surrounding the blurred lines between gambling and gaming, which is likely to become more widespread given the rise and reliance of technology (King et al., 2015). One such technological development is the emergence of "loot boxes" in various video games, which is a type of micro-transaction that players can purchase (with...
Discussion Topic

Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange

Registered Member ·
I want to share a blog I wrote not long before the WHO made their announcement about Video Gaming Disorder being recognized as an official disorder. I first wrote and published a book about the transition between parenting your child and your adult child, as I found those years more challenging. Included in my story was part of the journey of my adult son's crisis through video gaming addiction. An organizer of Mindfest read the book and asked me to speak about Video Gaming Addiction. I...
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Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange

Registered Member ·
This article just came across in my emails today and I thought I'd share it. Dr Dunkerley has done some great work in her study of screen addiction. http://www.lovewhatmatters.com...oody-crazy-and-lazy/ Elaine Uskoski Author – Speaker – Holistic Practitioner ElaineUskoski.com 226-337-2070 Is video gaming controlling your child? 2017 Watty’s Award Winning Author of Seeing Through the Cracks
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Professional Poker Player Annie Duke

Registered Member ·
I heard an interesting podcast yesterday that I thought I would share here. The Moth is a storytelling podcast where people get up on stage and tell a story from their lives without notes. In this episode, professional poker player Annie Duke tells a story from a poker game where she was wracked with indecision as to what to do. While her story is interesting, she also shares as a bit of background, how she came to be a professional poker player which I found quite interesting. I've also...
Discussion Topic

Teens in urban regions are more likely to experience problem video gaming

Registered Member ·
Check out this post on the main EENet Connect site: https://www.eenetconnect.ca/topic/teens-in-urban-regions-are-more-likely-to-experience-problem-video-gaming?reply=366389314722069684#366389314722069684
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RCMP Youth Trends Report Fall 2018

Registered Member ·
This was forwarded to me, via email, and i am passing it along. There is a lot of great information to help us understand our youth and technology better.
Discussion Topic

Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
Our colleagues at EENet have just released a research snapshot on their website based on research of Shi and colleagues published in the International Journal of Mental health and Addiction . The study found higher levels of problem video gaming in teens living in urban areas than in teens living in rural areas. Interestingly, they also found that teens in urban regions with a gambling problem were more likely to have a problem with video gaming when compared to teens who did not gamble.
Discussion Topic

Canucks players put in video game ban on the road

Registered Member ·
I heard this on the news while driving into work this morning. The news article states that the Vancouver Canucks have decided that: “ No more Fortnite. No more bringing video games on the road. It’s strictly team meals, team dinners and hanging out with the guys. So we put an end to that. ” Canucks players put in video game ban on the road I liked that the article specifically talks about the importance of spending face to face time together. Working in this field, we constantly see the...
Discussion Topic

Gaming and gambling

Registered Member ·
Research has identified a link between loot boxes and gambling. Loot boxes are an in-game purchase that players can make that includes randomized items that they may value. This random element of loot boxes is similar to random outcomes in gambling and there have been concerns that loot boxes may put players at increased risk of problem gambling.
Discussion Topic

"Fortnite addiction is forcing kids into video-game rehab"

Registered Member ·
Interesting article in the Toronto Star about gaming addiction, specifically looking at the game Fortnite. Great read! https://www.thestar.com/business/technology/2018/11/27/fortnite-addiction-is-forcing-kids-into-video-game-rehab.html
Discussion Topic

The first long-term study on how screen time affects children's brains

Registered Member ·
The National Institutes of Health are currently conducting a study on over 11,000 children to look at the long-term effects of screen time. Preliminary findings show that children who use screens for more than 2 hours a day score lower on language and thinking skills. It will be interesting to see what else is uncovered as this study continues, including whether changes are dependent on what the screen is being used for and/or on the child's developmental stage. Read the full article here .
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Are Video Game Developers Really Helping Combat Addiction?

Registered Member ·
Nintendo is adding parent controls to their games. This is not a bad step to take. However, many kids are smart enough to find a way to get around these. I personally think that by advertising these parental controls, Nintendo is just hoping to attract more sales to their addictive games. They can do so much more and take more responsibility in making games less addictive. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Here's the article: ...
Discussion Topic

Gambling for Shoes?

Registered Member ·
A very interesting BlogTO article came out yesterday about an arcade-like game called Key Master that has been popping up in designer shoe consignment shops in Toronto. Players use a joystick to fit a key into a hole that unlocks the prize, which can include expensive designer sneakers such as Yeezys or Air Jordans. The game costs $5 to play. I would like to hear your thoughts - is this considered a form of gambling? If so, what are the implications of having these pop up in consignment...
Discussion Topic

Gambling Among Adults Experiencing Poverty and Homelessness: A Training Video

Registered Member ·
Recovery from Problem Gambling is possible. Client-centred strategies that are evidence informed help service providers build skills to assist the recovery journey for people experiencing gambling disorders, poverty and housing instability . https://youtu.be/1CZzzBOheAw People who are experiencing poverty and/or homelessness along with problem gambling can benefit from supports and services that are customized to their needs. This video describes the case management approach of the Gambling...
Discussion Topic

Google’s Play Store starts requiring games with loot boxes to disclose their odds

Registered Member ·
Detailed in an article published last week in The Verge , Google Play Store (Google's app store) will require app developers to disclose the odds of winning a prize through loot boxes in their games by September 1. Loot boxes are virtual items that players can purchase for a chance to win a prize, such as a "skin" (a cosmetic element that doesn't affect the outcome of a game, like a new outfit for your character). This new policy would also include free-to-play games that offer loot boxes,...
Discussion Topic

The increasingly blurred lines between gambling and gaming

Registered Member ·
Last week, we published an article on camh.ca highlighting how the lines between gambling and gaming are blurring. The article features quotes from @Registered Member speaking about her family's experience with video gambling problems and @Registered Member speaking about how gambling elements are increasingly found within video games. Read the full article here: https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/the-increasingly-blurred-lines-between-gambling-and-gaming I...
Discussion Topic

ESports: 16-year-old Fortnite video game world champ wins $3M

Registered Member ·
This past weekend, the world's largest Fortnite esports tournament took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The tournament, where qualifying gamers compete to get the most points in the Fortnite video game in front of both in-person and online audiences, is one of many esports tournaments that take place annually. At this particular tournament, there was $30 million USD in cash prizes. The winner, a 16 year old gamer, took home a $3 million USD prize, while the second place winner...
Discussion Topic

Addicted to Fortnite? Montreal law firm says video game company should pay up

Registered Member ·
Interesting read. A Montreal legal firm has requested authorization to launch a class-action lawsuit against the widely popular video game Fortnite. The legal notice was filed on behalf of the parents of two minors, aged 10 and 15. The article also states as part of their claim that the video game company purposely designs the games to be as addictive as possible. The article says that when players play the game they agree to the following: "To play the game, users must give up the right to...
Reply

Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, @Registered Member. This is based on the results of one article, so it may be possible that other studies looking at the differences in problem video gaming between teens in urban and rurals regions could yield different results depending on the region, access to technology and offline activities available, among many factors. And thanks @Registered Member, I agree that it would be vital to educate students (and parents/guardians) about gambling, video...
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Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
Great question @Registered Member. I wonder as gaming and smart phone use get more recognition, there will be more references in pop culture, which will in turn bring more awareness to the issues. Just this month in GQ magazine, there was an article on cutting back on smart phone use that included several practical strategies including turning your phone to grey scale. Apparently seeing apps/pictures/games etc in grey scale is less appealing and people were found to reduce their phone screen...
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Re: Gaming and gambling

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing this interesting article, Steve! This study showed that as problem gambling severity increased (in adults), so did in-game spending on loot boxes. These findings lead to even more questions, including the effects on youth with and without gambling problems, the role of loot boxes in introducing youth to gambling, and the impact that evidence-based legislation can have on preventing or limiting in-game loot boxes. What do others think?
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Re: Gaming and gambling

Registered Member ·
Interesting research! The Australian Government is currently conducting a commission into loot-boxes (microtransactions for chance based items). You can read a number of interesting submissions (including my own ) on the topic. The Australian Government has also reached out to the Netherlands to clarify why they regulated lootboxes in games. Their response states: The Senate report is actually due today, but I haven't seen it yet. I've done quite a bit of work in this space. To those...
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Re: The first long-term study on how screen time affects children's brains

Registered Member ·
It will be interesting to see if they control for things like income and other social determinants of health. I have a sense that it might be more likely for parents with fewer resources to use the phone/TV as a coping strategy, especially if they don't have as much support as other more affluent parents.
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Re: The first long-term study on how screen time affects children's brains

Registered Member ·
Hi Nimira, You make an excellent point. Another thing to consider, on the opposite spectrum, is that many middle class to upper class schools now utilize tablets and laptops as part of the school curriculum. Does the content matter? Or is it just screen time. I wonder if the added family resources outside of school, that may support vacations, hobbies and sports (events away from screen time) and resources that support enhanced learning, is large enough to combat the effects of increased...
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Re: The first long-term study on how screen time affects children's brains

Registered Member ·
I was just about to say that Aaron! Content matters! This has been an ongoing debate and I'm afraid I'm on the pro-screen time. I find these studies skewed... "If you give a child an app where they play with virtual Legos, virtual blocks, and stack them, and then put real blocks in front of them, they start all over," Why would you test block-building capacity and say this skill isn't transferable when using real blocks? Seems pretty obvious. I'm sure if you tested for non gross motor skills...
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Re: Gambling for Shoes?

Registered Member ·
I am shaking my head over this one. As gambling is defined as “risking money or something of value on the outcome of an event involving chance when the probability of winning or losing is less than certain”. I would consider this ‘gambling’. Would this fall under the pervue of OLG or AGCO for follow-up? Interesting this article (referenced in the first article) speaks to the game being rigged. If it is proven to be rigged, I wonder about the fall-out, if any, for the gaming industry?
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Re: Gambling for Shoes?

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing the article about the lawsuit @Registered Member. It will be interesting to see whether the game has some element of skill, and whether the advertisements about it were truthful. I agree with both @Registered Member and @Registered Member that this is a form of unregulated gambling. I find it interesting how forms of gambling evolve over time and how they are now popping up outside of casinos.
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Re: Google’s Play Store starts requiring games with loot boxes to disclose their odds

Registered Member ·
As a mother whose 12-year-old just spent $50 of his birthday money on loot boxes in Overwatch, having some idea of the odds of his getting the skin of his dreams would definitely have given me a better argument to dissuade him from doing this. Letting people - usually kids - know the odds would bring into focus the idea that this is gambling, and spark conversations in families that may be less aware. I do think that this kind of gambling is insidious for youth. For this reason, regulation...
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Re: Internet and gaming addiction – New research

Registered Member ·
"In their article in Addictive Behaviors , a team from the University of California in the US looked at 27 studies on IGD published between 1998 and 2016, to determine whether the disorder is indeed becoming more prevalent. The average across all years was 4.7%, and the results showed it has not increased significantly in the last two decades." I have not read the article in Addictive Behaviors yet but that is a surprising finding. It makes me wonder about the screening...
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Re: "Loot Boxes" - gambling or not?

Registered Member ·
I’d like to share some thoughts on the differences between loot boxes and gambling: You always GAIN something from loot boxes. Whereas in gambling, there is also the possibly that you may LOSE as well. You can’t gain financially from loot boxes as you do in gambling. Putting money into a loot box never gives you money in return like gambling does. Even though these two things don’t match the criteria for gambling that you listed in this tread, they are two significant differences. In this...
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Re: "Loot Boxes" - gambling or not?

Registered Member ·
Interesting. The Skinner method used in video gaming creates the pull for longer play. Winning at random intervals has been proven to keep a player engaged long after they are even interested in the game, compared to winning each and every time time. In terms of Loot Boxes, offering a biological need like food, water, or sex always has a satiation point where one becomes full and loses interest. However, offering non-biological needs like gold coins and ammunition that will take a player to...
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Re: Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange

Registered Member ·
Thank you for posting this article, Elaine! I think it is relevant food for thought for both parents and professionals. I especially like that she talks about the importance of ruling out and addressing electronics in mental health assessments. In the article, Dr. Dunkerley also says, “ Time and again, I’ve realized that regardless of whether there exists any “true” underlying diagnoses, successfully treating a child with mood dysregulation today requires methodically eliminating all...
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Re: Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange

Registered Member ·
I agree, Lisa. I took my son for a full medical assessment at the same time I detoxed him from video gaming. I also monitored his moods very closely, with the concern of his anxiety and depression increasing, and fear of suicidal thoughts. I have also heard from one of my holistic clients her concerns after the psychologist who sees her son, for severe depression, suggesting his client should "do what he loves", however the only thing he loves is gaming, and mom feels it's making the...
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Re: Screen time and ADHD

Registered Member ·
Thanks Lisa highlighting this topic and Elaine for sharing your personal experience and journey. Such an interesting topic, and the article had this to say: "But maybe the most interesting finding is that not all screen activities had equal effects. For example: Playing video games with family had no significant association with the development of ADHD symptoms, while playing video games alone (even if playing with other people online) had a strong association with subsequent ADHD symptoms".
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Re: Can anyone suggest an gambling clinical practice guide, that incorporates "cultural competency" on the idea of "lucky?"

Registered Member ·
Hello Bill, Please find the attached document, "A Guide for Counsellors Working with Problem Gambling Clients from Ethno-cultural Communities." On page 16 there is content related to your question. Best, Lisa
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Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
I am located in a rural county of Ontario with no access to transportation and a high rate of low income families who struggle to have access to sport available in our community, having said that you would think that problematic video game use would be more of an issue for the youth in our rural areas.
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Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
I like your idea Tiffany of adding safer gaming practices into curriculum with safer gambling information. I also think that there is a need for a paired curriculum for parents/guardians on both of these topics, especially as technology use is so ubiquitious. I wonder how influential overall wellness and mental health education would be at addressing some of those underlying issues and how students would respond if the curriculum not only taught safer gambling and gaming practices, but...
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Re: Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange

Registered Member ·
Thank you so much for sharing the article, Elaine. It was very thought provoking. I had some initial responses to his article (in italics). My Responses to “Why Is There a ‘Gaming Disorder’ But NO ‘Smartphone Disorder’ article in The Atlantic by Ian Bogost on June 28, 2018. The ICD has not "decided" that if you play video games a lot, you might suffer from a mental health issue: Gaming disorder.” They have determined based on research and consultations with experts that those that are...
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Re: DOTA 2 coming to Vancouver

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing this article, Beth. The popularity of e-sports seems to have grown exponentially over the last few years, drawing in more and more fans and cash prizes. For example, right here in Toronto taking place from October 26 to 28, is the EGLX video game expo. As part of the expo, there will be the live World Electronic Sports Games (WESG) Canadian Grand Finals. $150,000 can be won by the Canadian qualifiers, which will enable them to eventually compete for $5.5 million in the...
 
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