One common aspect of modern video gaming is loot boxes, which are a form of video game microtransaction. Loot boxes are virtual items that produce a randomly generated in-game reward based on chance, which is why they are often described as being similar to gambling products. While previous cross-sectional studies have found a correlation between loot box engagement and problem gambling, very few longitudinal studies have been conducted on this topic. This week, The WAGER reviews a study by Gabriel Brooks and Luke Clark that examined the relationship between loot box engagement and gambling behavior among gamblers and non-gamblers.
What were the research questions?
(1) How does loot box engagement differ between gamblers and non-gamblers? and (2) Does loot box engagement at baseline predict future gambling behavior at six-month follow-up?
What did the researchers do?
The researchers used Prolific, a crowdsourcing platform for research, to recruit 636 participants aged 18 – 26 who regularly played video games. The researchers included participants in this age group because gambling initiation is common among young adults. Participants were then stratified into gambler and non-gambler subgroups. At baseline and at the six-month follow-up, participants completed surveys relating to engagement with and money spent on loot boxes, gambling cognitions, and problem gambling status. The researchers also conducted logistic regressions to examine whether loot box expenditure predicted migration to initiating gambling behavior at follow-up.
What did they find?
Although non-gamblers were more likely to be familiar with loot boxes, gamblers were more likely to have engaged with loot boxes and spent more money on them when compared to non-gamblers at baseline (see Figure). For example, 71.5% of gamblers reported directly spending money on loot boxes compared to 61% of non-gamblers, and the median amount of money spent on loot boxes was $33.50 for gamblers compared to only $13.40 for non-gamblers. Additionally, among the non-gambler subgroup, those who had higher spending on loot boxes prior to baseline were more likely to initiate gambling by the follow-up period. Furthermore, erroneous gambling cognitions at baseline significantly predicted higher loot box spending at follow-up, which suggests that there is a bidirectional relationship between loot box engagement and gambling behavior.
Figure. This figure compares loot box engagement in gamblers (n = 221) and non-gamblers (n = 415) at baseline. Statistically significant differences are shown in bold. Chi-square tests were used to compare percentages and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare median values for spending on loot boxes. Click image to enlarge.
Why do these findings matter?
These findings support the notion that loot box engagement increases the likelihood of future gambling behavior. Additionally, almost all participants indicated that they were familiar with loot boxes, which emphasizes the ubiquity of loot boxes and monetary systems in modern video gaming. Previous research has also documented a link between gambling at a younger age and greater problem gambling severity, so these findings suggest a need for potentially regulating loot box engagement among young adults to reduce their exposure to these products. Loot box regulations might include imposing spending limits on loot boxes, restricting access to loot boxes for players under a certain age, and including clear labels on games indicating that they contain loot boxes.
Every study has limitations. What are the limitations in this study?
One limitation in this study is that the researchers recruited participants through a crowdsourcing platform, so the sample is not representative of all gamers and gamblers in the young adult population. Additionally, since this was a longitudinal study, there was attrition, as some participants dropped out of the study before completing the follow-up surveys.
For more information:
Individuals who are concerned about their gambling behaviors or simply want to know more about problem gambling may benefit from visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The NCPG’s perspective on loot boxes and gambling can also be found at their loot boxes page. Additional resources can be found at the BASIS Addiction Resources page.
— Annette Siu
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