A survey by Young Scot and Fast Forward has revealed the financial toll of in-game purchases with nearly a quarter of young gamers admitting to gambling while playing video games.
The survey, which assessed gaming habits over the past year, found that 91% of the 406 respondents had played video games within that period. Of these gamers, 35% reported that gaming had affected their lives in various ways, citing concerns such as strained relationships, financial costs, schoolwork struggles and a negative impact on mental health.
One of the key concerns highlighted is the prevalence of loot boxes — digital items such as chests, cards, or crates that contain random rewards that can be purchased while playing video games. Research has increasingly linked loot boxes to higher risks of gambling-related harm among young people. The survey, conducted anonymously online, found that two-thirds of young gamers admitted to opening a loot box, with 57% of respondents recognising it as a form of gambling.
The survey, commissioned to follow two previous surveys on gaming and gambling, demonstrates that the majority of young people view gambling as harmful (81%) with 72% considering gambling activity to be ‘readily available’ and 87% viewing it as ‘risky’. When it comes to finding help for harmful gambling, over three-quarters of young people don’t know where to turn and 40% wouldn’t know where to refer a friend for support.
For specialised services or further information, visit Fast Forward’s resource page.