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...

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...

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.

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.

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,...

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.

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...

Publishing the odds is very important, however I hope that these odds would be presented in easy to understand terms, instead of just numerically. We have found that just indicating the odds numerically makes it difficult to have a real understanding of what this means (for adults as well as youth). Using descriptors in easy to understand terms that are accessible and not in small print and difficult to locate would be required.

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...

I agree that transparency around risks from developers would be beneficial for consumers. Something like pop-up messages (similar to those in casinos) after playing for extended periods of time might be helpful and easy to implement. I think open conversations and advocacy with developers may lead to changes without regulation in any given jurisdiction (especially with video games being a global market). An example of where developers have started taking a step to help inform consumers in a...

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Also, to note is that gamers are purchasing Skins (virtual goods) within a game, believing they enhance their online social status (they believe those who have attained many of these Skins must be better players) when they have no direct influence on the outcome of their game play. In terms of reducing or avoiding financial disaster, besides never giving a child their credit card, parents can help a child create a budget and use the child's earned or gifted...

I would like to know more about the status of loot-box games and how they might be regulated in the future. Additionally, I would love to come across research on cross-over patterns of addiction between substances, behaviours (eating disorders, fitness) and gambling. How at risk is the problem gambler to developing another addiction during gambling sobriety?

This is a great webinar series I've been attending this month. The next session (tomorrow at 1pm) is super timely and I'm sure will be of interest to many of you. Details below: Maine Council for Problem Gambling / AdCare March 19, 2021 (1:00 - 2:30 PM EST) Apps, Traps and Roadmaps: The Latest in the Convergence and Strategies in Addressing Gaming & Gambling Presenter: Julie Hynes We have seen the convergence of video gaming and gambling for some time now, notably with things like loot...