Gambling games and loot boxes can lead to addiction in teens, experts warn
Gambling games and “loot boxes” are laying the groundwork for kids to become gaming addicts, experts warn. But there are some risk factors you can look out for in your children to stem the problem.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Popular teen electronic games are creating a generation of problem gamblers.
Experts have warned gambling games and those with “loot boxes” are laying the groundwork for kids to become addicts .
It comes as specialist counsellor training is developed to deal with the rising number of gaming addicts , and it’s revealed struggling cinemas are offering their big screens to big-time gamers.
Senior researcher at the Australian Institute of Family Studies Rebecca Jenkinson said a recent study revealed nearly a quarter of boys aged 16 and 17 and one in seven girls reported playing “gambling-like games” in the past year.
Studies also showed boys who had been bullied – or were bullies themselves - were among the most likely to game and gamble, while those with friends focused on school success were less likely to do so.
“The study found teenagers were more likely to gamble if they or their friends engaged in risky behaviours such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or using cannabis. On the other hand, they were less likely . . . if their friends had a positive attitude towards academic achievement and were interested in doing well at school,” Dr Jenkinson said.
“Boys who had either been the victim or perpetrator of bullying at school were also more likely to take part in gambling activities. However, this association was not found to be significant for girls.”
And young people who played gambling-like games - on social networking sites, phones, devices and PlayStation and Xbox consoles - were more likely to “transition to commercial gambling”, spending real money, she said.
“Loot boxes” - digital grab bags that players have to spend real or in-game currency on - were of particular concern, Dr Jenkinson said.
Research had shown the more money adult video game players spent on loot boxes and prize crates, the more likely they were to be problem gamblers, leading experts to question if games with this feature should be regulated as a form of gambling.
The coronavirus pandemic has seen gaming hit unprecedented levels across the state, with the Sunday Herald Sun last week revealing record demand for Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
And cinemas are taking advantage of the obsession, with Reading in Geelong offering its theatres to gamers midweek for $250 for a two-hour session, with people asked to BYO consoles, equipment, and even internet.
A Reading spokesman said its other Victorian cinemas were also offering screen hire to gamers until mid-last week, when Melbourne and its suburbs were locked down for a second time, and theatres forced to shut.
Village and Hoyts did not respond to Sunday Herald Sun inquiries.
RELATED: