The Lure of Loot: Gambling and Manipulative Design in Youth Video Games

Did you know that mainstream video games increasingly contain elements that may promote gambling behavior in young people? What are “loot boxes”, casino-type video games, skin gambling, other hidden and more obvious monetization devices that promote betting among players? How do I know whether my child is susceptible to problematic gambling in video games and online social gaming communities?

Children and Screens’ #AskTheExperts webinar “The Lure of Loot: Gambling and Manipulative Design in Youth Video Games,” held on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 12pm via Zoom, explored the behavioral impacts on children and teens of gambling elements within video games. A panel of psychologists, researchers, and gambling addiction experts shared ways that parents and educators can identify problematic video games, spot the warning signs of gambling addiction in their children, and start a dialogue to help children think critically about the manipulative design techniques present in so much of their online entertainment.