Growing concern over link between video game loot boxes and problem gambling

Loot box in video games is where a player can purchase an item in the game for real money that has a randomised chance of them getting a desirable item that can boost their chances of winning.

Children buying loot boxes in video games “is setting up a relationship with gambling their brain isn’t ready for”, after a new study found a link between the purchasing of such loot boxes with gambling problems in adolescents.

Introduced in video games in the last decade, a loot box is where a player can purchase an item in the game for real money that has a randomised chance of them getting a desirable item that can boost their chances of winning.