New Study Suggests Loot Boxes And Gambling are Directly Linked

9.05.2019, 15:25

A new study determined that there is a “clear link” between gambling and loot boxes. The study was conducted by the University of British Columbia (UBC). The claim is that gamers who purchase loot boxes are inclined to ignore gambling addiction.

Loot boxes in video games have long been a subject of debate. Many EU countries have even banned the games with loot boxes in them or have banned the practice altogether. Many game developers also face subsequent legal issues. For example, Valve is being sued for skins gambling, a related near-gambling practice.

The study in question involved 257 subjects. They were put in two groups: 144 online gamers and 113 undergraduate students. All of them were asked to fill in a loot box-related questionnaire.  The answers would then be compared with the problem gambling criteria. 

As a result, 60.3% of undergraduate students and 49.3% of the gamers confirmed that they were spending money on loot boxes. Furthermore, most of them agreed that using loot boxes is gambling.

However, not all study findings are so grim. For example, the undergraduate group was determined to less likely to be problem gamblers. Additionally, the average monthly spendings on the activity were $17.50. This is much lower than average spendings in an online casino or at a bookmaker.

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