BC Expert Correlates Video Games With Problem Gambling – Casino Reports

It’s no surprise that video games can lead to addiction, but a BC researcher recently linked game loot boxes to problem gambling. This issue was raised by Luke Clark, director of the University of British Columbia’s Center for Gambling Research, at a panel during this year’s edition of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s New Horizons conference.

Loot boxes aren’t a new mechanic in video games, having been a part of the industry for over a decade. However, they have become increasingly popular in leading games. Their concept consists of random prize generators that the participants of a game can win if they accumulate enough points or simply buy them at a certain price.

expert opinion

In a panel at New Horizons, Mr. Clark presented his new research correlating video game loot with problem gambling. He explained that the boxes award a random prize and players don’t know what they’re getting. His mechanic is similar to a slot machineand in some cases, players can sell the virtual items in return for real money.

He also noted that there used to be concerns as to whether loot boxes were actually a form of gambling in disguise. The expert said that if they are a form of gambling that children have access to, then it should be discussed to regulate it. He added that more attention is needed within game design to make games safer in terms of spending.

According to experts, those most likely to become addicted to gambling share some common traits with potential problem gamblers. Most of the time they tend to younger males, and this phenomenon can also be observed in sports betting. In BC, the only regulated problem gambling website is BCLC’s PlayNow, however many people still turn to illegal online portals.

Marie-Noelle Savoie, vice president of compliance and security at BCLC, commented that Crown Corporation has witnessed the struggling sports bettor demographics completely different topics of those regular problem gamblers. She noted that this matter is worth investigating, while experts also monitor gaming behavior in sports.

Lead Advocate for Responsible Gaming

BCLC is a major advocate for responsible yet fun gaming entertainment. Over the years, the Crown Agency has undertaken many initiatives to limit the likelihood of problem gambling. During the Christmas holidays last year, it remind Parents and adults from BC not to give away lottery tickets to childrenas early exposure of children to gambling could lead to problems in the future.

Meanwhile, in January 2023, the BCLC made some changes to theirs Game Break Self-Exclusion Programto make it more accessible to bettors. The new version allows for better support for bettors with a name that is more accessible to people who choose to recruit and support participants looking to return to gambling.

Source: Mijure, Ben”Video game loot boxes could be linked to problem gambling, says a BC researcher” CTV News VancouverMarch 8, 2023