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.

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?

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...

I would absolutely be interested in your study of this area of gaming @Registered Member thank you

Hi @Registered Member. Send me an email: steven@instituteofgames.com and i'll send you my working documents.

Great clip! Thanks for sharing Tara Marie and great to see Dr. Turner speaking on this panel. Curious to see the data on how popular regulated SESB becomes in Ontario as this rule comes into force... I know in the UK single events betting deals are highly advertised during major events such as football matches and horse racing.

Also curious to know how popular regulated SESB becomes! I predict we may also see many new ads for these activities here.

Soon, on August 27, the federal government will make it legal to gamble on individual sporting events . The provinces and territories will be able to set rules for new online and physical-venue forms of single-event sports betting (SESB). With Canadians spending approximately $10 billion per year on SESB through illegal networks, plus additional billions via opportunities in offshore jurisdictions, the new legal changes provide opportunity to regulate and control SESB, and divert money from...

Great clip - I agree that Dr. Turner had some balanced views. Definitely think we'll see some increased advertising! I'm interested in the points made that legalized SESB will likely divert money into legal streams that have the potential to: 1) help people come into contact with responsible gambling (RG) platforms and 2) a portion of that diverted money can be used to fund treatment and education. I'm also curious how likely the first point is, given these types of bets might not be made in...