GambleAware, a leading responsible gambling organization, has collaborated with the esteemed Bournemouth University to examine the various risks that stem from different gambling products.
According to the research, users of land-based, i.e. brick-and-mortar slot machines, including those at casinos and bookmakers, are more likely to experience gambling addiction and gambling-related harm over ten times the average player.
On the other hand, players of online casino games, including online slots and dedicated casino games (roulette, baccarat, poker, etc.), were more than four times at risk of developing gambling addiction and gambling-related harm.
Moreover, the study found that the popular loot boxes usually featured in video games are the reason for even greater concern due to their ease of access and, more concerning, appeal to younger audiences. From here, the report states that 50% of loot box users were exposed to some level of risk, with many of them exhibiting behaviour patterns similar to gambling addiction.
As a result, Gamble Aware has requested stricter restrictions on loot boxes, including their availability, suggesting that the best course of action would be to raise the age limit to individuals who are 18 or older.
Furthermore, the joint study between GambleAware and the University of Bournemouth also mentioned the massive impact of the National Lottery, stating that more than 600,000 people who experienced problem gambling participated in the last draw, and out of that number, 500,000 are scratch card users.
The research also highlights that one of the biggest contributors to the increase in gambling-related harm is the number of gambling activities a player engages in. This means that players who participate in multiple gambling forms are more likely to develop gambling addiction and experience severe problems.
Interestingly enough, the study comes at a time when the United Kingdom is implementing a new mandatory gambling levy that is expected to raise £100 million ($123 million) per year for battling gambling addiction.
Yet, Zoe Osmond, Chief Executive Officer at GambleAware, is not too optimistic about this development, expressing concern that the current version of the Gambling White Paper, particularly contrasting wagers for online slots based on age, are not the optimal safety for consumers.
