Zendle, David Isaac, Cairns, Paul Antony orcid.org/0000-0002-6508-372X, Barnett, Herbie et al. (1 more author) (2020) Paying for loot boxes is linked to problem gambling, regardless of specific features such as cash-out and pay-to-win. Computers in Human Behavior. pp. 181-191. ISSN 0747-5632
Abstract
Loot boxes are items in video games that may be bought with real-world money but contain randomised contents. Due to similarities between loot boxes and gambling, various countries are considering regulating them to reduce gambling-related harm. However, loot boxes are extremely diverse. A key problem facing regulators is determining whether specific types of loot boxes carry more potential for harm, and should be regulated accordingly. In this study, we specify seven key ways that loot boxes may differ from each other: They may involve paid or unpaid openings; give opportunities for cashing out; allow gamers to pay to win; involve the use of an in-game currency; feature crate and key mechanics; show near misses; and contain exclusive items. We then use a large-scale preregistered correlational analysis (n=1200) to determine if any of these features strengthen the link between loot box spending and problem gambling. Our results indicate that being able to cash out, showing near-misses, and letting players use in-game currency to buy loot boxes may weakly strengthen the relationship between loot box spending and problem gambling. However, our main conclusion is that regardless of the presence or absence of specific features of loot boxes, if they are being sold to players for real-world money, then their purchase is linked to problem gambling.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details. |
Keywords: | digital games,lootboxes,problem gambling |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Computer Science (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Psychology (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 08 Jul 2019 10:50 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 15:50 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.07.003 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.chb.2019.07.003 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:148267 |
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Licence: CC-BY-NC-ND 2.5