The Psychological Impact of Gambling on Teenagers: From Gambling Addiction to Virtual Loot Boxes

Participation in gambling can lead to various psychological problems, including the development of gambling addiction, known as ludomania. Ludomania is characterized by an uncontrollable desire to play despite negative consequences. There are 3 stages of gambling addiction development:

1. Winning stage. Frequent wins increase the desire to play, thoughts about gambling arise, and bets increase.
2. Losing stage. After a series of losses, the person continues to play in the hope of winning back, which can lead to financial difficulties and strained relationships with loved ones.
3. Disappointment stage. The player realizes the problem, experiences guilt, but continues to play, which can lead to serious personal and social issues.

Risks associated with gambling elements in video games

Modern video games increasingly include elements resembling gambling, such as loot boxes — virtual containers with random rewards that can be purchased for real money. In some countries, games with loot boxes are considered gambling if players can play “for money or something valuable.” Gambling regulation committees note that loot boxes are “psychologically similar to gambling” and can contribute to the development of gaming disorders in users. It is recommended to introduce game labeling that contains loot boxes to alert parents and indicate the “internal gambling content” within.

Measures to protect teenagers from the impact of gambling:

1. Education and awareness: Educate teenagers about the risks associated with gambling, and help them develop a critical attitude toward such entertainment.
2. Access restriction: Use parental controls to limit access to gambling games and video games with gambling elements.
3. Active participation in the teenager’s life: Take an interest in your child’s hobbies and activities, spend time together to reduce the likelihood of involvement in gambling.
4. Consulting specialists: If you notice signs of addiction or other psychological problems related to gambling, seek help from psychologists or psychotherapists in a timely manner.