Search

Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are a significant source of gambling spend due to their widespread use. Skill-based gambling machines (SGMs) represent an innovative adaptation, merging EGMs' chance-based rewards with video game-like skills. This study aimed to explore the appeal and behavioural consequences of playing SGMs in comparison to traditional reel-based EGMs, particularly focusing on illusions of control, betting behaviour, and the subjective experience of gamblers. Participants (N = 1,260) were recruited online and engaged in an online task simulating either an SGM or a reel-based EGM, with outcomes represented to influence their survey compensation. The study examined the effect of SGMs relative to EGMs on bet size, persistence, enjoyment, illusions of control, game immersion, and the influence of demographic and gambling problem severity. SGMs particularly appealed to younger adults, regular EGM players, and people with more gambling problems. Despite identical payout structures, people assigned to play SGM showed greater illusions of control, believing in the influence of skill on game outcomes and that practice could improve results. However, there was no significant difference in overall betting intensity between SGM and EGM players, although specific demographic groups showed faster betting speeds in SGMs. SGMs, despite not inherently encouraging higher betting intensity, attract vulnerable groups and create illusions of control, posing new regulatory challenges. The visual and interactive features of SGMs, while appealing, might contribute to these perceptions, indicating a need for careful regulation and further research on their long-term impacts on gambling behaviour and harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use ethnographic observations, interviews, and surveys to illuminate video game‐related gambling in India, where players use as currency decorative in‐game weapon covers referred to as skins. We focus on gaming and gambling related to virtual items acquired in the popular shooter game Counter‐Strike: Global Offensive, and our study unfolds among young adults who play in face‐to‐face centers called gaming lounges or zones. We consider how networks of video game players, themselves influenced by familial and societal demands, form moral economies that regulate why video game items are exchanged and how they are evaluated. Further, we use moral foundations theory to clarify ethical plurality in these settings, with tensions between moral demands shaping how and whether skins exchanges are judged to be socially productive or harmful. We show how gaming lounge owners' personal values, some religiously informed, render emerging adults who play in these settings less at risk of excessive gambling, which is not tolerated either within close‐knit gaming groups or broader society. Overall, our analysis points to the utility of bringing into dialogue moral economy and moral foundations perspectives to uncover the cultural meanings of linked gaming and gambling in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the impact of microtransactions as a form of monetization of game content and further gamification of digital games and video games. The relationship between gambling and monetized video games is considered, as well as the essence of gamblification of video games as a form of media convergence and the practice of spreading gambling in society. The main subject of the study is the question of whether the use of monetized game content leads to gambling addiction, since, unlike gambling, which under the laws of most countries is allowed to be accessed upon reaching the age of majority, monetized game content does not have age restrictions, and thus can affect not yet formed child (adolescent) psyche. Despite the fact that microtransactions in the gaming industry can provide additional streams to support video game development, research also shows the presence of so-called «predatory» monetization schemes. The article presents experimental studies of simulated gambling (such as social casino games, loot box purchases, etc.) by adolescents and their transition to gambling after reaching adulthood. Emphasis is placed on various approaches to gamification of digital and video games. From the position that microtransactions in video games do not affect later cognitive behavior and do not lead to gambling tendencies, to the fact that microtransactions have a negative effect on video game culture because they not only lead to addiction, but also create an imbalance in the gaming community. The latter is explained by the fact that it often takes several tens of hours to achieve something in a digital game, microtransactions allow you to reduce this time to a minimum for a certain amount of money. In any case, this issue is difficult not only from a social and psychological point of view, but also from a legal and economic point of view, and therefore requires additional research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that certain mental health disorders are likely to co-occur, with higher order dimensions of psychopathology being discernable. Specifically, mental health disorders tend to be organized into two general dimensions: internalizing and externalizing disorders. Despite substantial evidence supporting this hierarchical structure, no studies have integrated both recognized forms of behavioral addictions, gambling and gaming disorders, into this model utilizing a sample of adolescents. The objective of this study is to examine how risk for problem gambling (PG) and problem video gaming (PVG) load onto the higher order structure of psychopathology. Survey responses were collected from 6,413 adolescents (50.4% male, Mage = 14.74 years, 80.2% White) from Wood County, Ohio. Measures included frequency of gambling, PG symptoms, frequency of video gaming, PVG symptoms, symptoms of depression and anxiety, aggressive problems, and delinquency. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted and data were fit to a two-factor structure. PG symptoms loaded most highly on the externalizing factor (B = 0.18, SE = 0.02), and PVG symptoms loaded similarly on the externalizing (B = 0.32, SE = 0.02) and internalizing (B = 0.24, SE = 0.02) factors. Model fit indices indicated that the model in which PG and PVG were loaded on the externalizing factor provided the best fit. Exploratory analyses were suggestive of an alternative three-factor model which improved model fit. Findings suggest that youth prevention and intervention approaches need to address behavioral addictions early while considering the impact of other commonly associated problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people's leisure activities are a subject of interest and concern. While criminal engagement is a key concern, video gaming has long been in focus for its possible deteriorating effects threatening societal values and interests. As it is often the case with studies on deviancy, studies on problematic gaming frequently rest upon an assumption that risk exists independently of everyday life context and thus use isolated "risk" variables to measure problematic gaming. Contrarily, this study argues that, in gaming, risk cannot be separated from everyday life. We analyze 35 qualitative interviews with young people and use social constructivist perspectives of risk to show how risk is embedded in everyday practices. We find two dominant risks: The risk of gaming monopolizing everyday life and the risk of overspending. Linked to these risks is the social risk of being excluded from the friendship group. We also find that young people integrate discourses of gaming addiction into their risk perceptions and that they actively strive to balance their gaming by avoiding "becoming addicted." Our findings challenge assumptions that video games carry inherent risks of addiction and prompt an approach to risk in gaming as not being separated from the context of everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent times have witnessed a surge in the popularity of video gaming among Malaysians. In this article, we explore the evolution of video game culture in Malaysia from the 1980s to the early 2020s, illustrating its transformation from a casual pastime to a growing contributor to the nation's digital economy. We aim to delineate the sociohistorical development of video gaming in Malaysia, examining its emergence and integration into everyday contemporary culture. We conducted an online search for relevant academic work, government and industry reports, media coverage, and digital platforms that specifically addressed the Malaysian context and more broadly the Southeast Asian context. Following this, we performed qualitative content analysis, initially to establish a chronological overview by decades, and thematically to identify the four key agents of the players, the audiences, the industry, and the society. Our findings highlight the dynamic interplay between these agents and detail the transformative impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on gaming practices. We conclude the article by reiterating the cultural significance of video games for Malaysians and identify opportunities for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Esports or competitive video gaming is a rapidly growing sector and an integral part of today's (youth) culture. Esports athletes are exposed to a variety of burdens, that can potentially impact an athlete's health and performance. Therefore, it is important that esports athletes are aware of (physical) burden and exertion associated with esports. For this purpose, a study was conducted to evaluate the influence of competitive video gaming on the perceived physical exertion and the perceived physical state (PEPS). Methods: Thirty-two healthy male esports athletes participated in two competitive video gaming sessions lasting 90-120 min, interrupted by a 10-minute passive sitting break. Repeated measures of perceived physical exertion (Borg Categorial Ratio-10 scale) and perceived physical state were recorded before, during, and after each video game session. Repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman's test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed a significant difference in all dimensions of the PEPS (p < 0.05) as well as in Borg scale (p< 0.001). Post-hoc tests revealed significant increases in Borg scale between baseline measurements (T0: 1.0 ± 1.0) and after the first competitive video gaming session (T1: 2.4 ± 1.3, p < 0.001), as well as after the second competitive video gaming session (T3: 3.0 ± 1.7, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in perceived exertion between the measurement time after the first competitive video gaming session (T1) and the break (T2: 1.3 ± 1.2, p < 0.001). The PEPS dimensions activation, trained, and mobility showed similar significant changes in post-hoc analysis. Discussion: The results indicate that the perceived physical burden significantly increases during esports participation. As the duration of competitive video gaming extends, the perceived physical state decreases and perceived physical exertion increases. A passive break between two video game sessions can at least partially restore physical exertion and physical state. However, this break neither returns the scores to their baseline levels nor prevents a further decline in scores during the second video game session. Over time and with a lack of observation, this could result in health and performance limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sports video games (SVGs) are one of the most popular genres in video gaming, which are suggested to be associated to physical literacy (PL). The objective of the current scoping review is to identify and summarize the empirical evidence on PL domains associated with participation in SVGs among youth and adolescence, based on the Australian Physical Literacy Framework (APLF). The literature search followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines on databases PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. This review included studies that evaluated any outcomes associated with the participation in SVGs based on APLF: physical, psychological, social, and cognitive domains. Articles related to other video game genres or gambling were excluded. All types of devices, modes of playing and intensities of play were included. Finally, there were 3859 articles retrieved from which 11 met the inclusion criteria. The most studied outcomes were related to the psychological and the cognitive domains which shown that SVGs to be effective in increasing motivation and engagement, and enhancing total knowledge in real-life sports. This finding provides a new insight that this sedentary behavior could be used in promoting sports and might help to solve the problem of physical inactivity. However, more research is needed for the physical and the social domains regarding to SVGs play among youth and adolescents. The current evidence base relating to SVGs is not large enough to be able to understand the associations of some gaming variables, such as duration of time, frequency, skill levels, mode of playing and gender, to PL and risky behaviors among youth and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intertwining of video games and gambling, known as simulated gambling, has prompted concerns about the potential influence of simulated gambling as a stepping stone towards monetary gambling. Previous studies tend to focus overwhelmingly on loot boxes, which are video game packages where the randomized content is hidden until opening them. The current study broadens this horizon by mapping the relationships between various gambling-like elements within the video gaming ecosystem, and monetary gambling. Applying the Theory of Reasoned Action, the study considered attitude, perceived normative pressure, and intention alongside monetary gambling behavior. In winter 2021 and early 2022, 1472 Flemish adolescents (mean age = 14.02, 47.5% female) took part in a survey on simulated and monetary gambling. Respondents had participated in simulated (75.3%) and monetary gambling (60.4%) in the past year. Bivariate correlations revealed that gambling-like activities were positively correlated (p < .001) with monetary gambling. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that watching gambling streams, spinning prize wheels, and spending money in social casino games predict monetary gambling (p < .001). Adding loot boxes and other gambling-like elements explained extra variance on top of gender and age (p < .001). Structural equation modelling suggested a pathway model from simulated gambling to monetary gambling attitude, normative pressure, intention, and behavior. This study underscores the importance of considering diverse gamblinglike elements in research on the relationship between simulated and monetary gambling, next to the applicability of the Theory of Reasoned Action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the attention given to potential motives and determinants of the transition process from video games to gambling. Forty individual interviews were conducted among active video game players (n = 20), and people diagnosed with a gambling disorder who had the experience of playing video games (n = 20). A qualitative thematic analysis was employed to explore the collected empirical data. The range of factors considered responsible for the transition from playing video games to gambling included experiencing similar emotional states, the presence of gambling in video games, advertising of gambling companies in video games, loot boxes. The awareness of factors associated with the development of gambling disorders among video game players has an important role in informing prevention policies in the rapidly changing video gaming and gambling market. Decision-makers should introduce effective regulation of the use of gambling components in video games to protect gamers against the gambling-related harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gumushane Universty Electronic Journal of the Faculty of Communication / Gümüshane Üniversitesi Iletisim Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi is the property of Gumushane Universitesi Iletisim Fakultesi Elektronik Dergisi (e-GIFDER) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The incorporation of interactive and game-based tools into education has garnered significant attention among educators, as evidenced by the increasing popularity of video gaming across diverse age groups. Concepts like 'serious games' and 'gamification' have been subjects of discussion in gaming communities, exploring their potential to transform education and complement traditional learning approaches. The primary goal of integrating gaming into education is to enhance student motivation and engagement, improve visual skills, and foster interaction and collaboration among peers. However, it's crucial for educational technology to align closely with the curriculum to effectively impact student achievement. Teachers face the challenge of integrating games into their curriculum in a manner that aligns with learning objectives and standards, necessitating careful planning, game selection, and integration into lesson plans to ensure that gaming experiences complement and reinforce classroom instruction. Despite the popularity of formative assessments through game-based solutions, there is a noticeable absence of a multiplayer classroom tool offering a wide range of gameplay mechanics and content integration for creative learning. Further research into the motivational aspects of the multiplayer approach, the influence of varied gameplay dynamics on learning outcomes, and a comparison of multiplayer versus single-game play versus traditional approaches are areas worth exploring. Our study introduces a novel multiplayer game-based platform (Multiplayer Team Training Platform or MTT) addressing the challenges of uniform gameplay, offering a variety of gameplay dynamics and automated tracking of student performance in both single and multiplayer modes. A comparison between traditional assessment and gamebased assessment in similar settings was undertaken with different classes, subjects, and age groups, and a comparative study was conducted to analyse the results of both experiments. Detailed investigations and observations were made in comparing the results between single and multiplayer modes. The findings revealed a complex and context-dependent relationship between player types and success rates, varying across different games and experimental groups. Regarding student preferences, our data breakdown showed that 18% of students prefer single-mode play, 40% prefer multiplayer games, and 42% prefer both types of gameplay. This diversity highlights the need for adaptable approaches to accommodate various player preferences within the student population. The preference for games over traditional assessment and practicing indicated that students find games more engaging. Additionally, the inclination of extroverted students towards multiplayer modes suggested the positive impact of social interaction and competition on engagement and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Simulated gambling products, like loot boxes and social casino games, contain gambling elements, but are not classified as gambling. They are available to minors, raising concerns about a "gateway effect" into gambling. This study examined the time course of young people's engagement in simulated and monetary gambling, and associations between simulated gambling and gambling problems and harm. A necessary, although not sufficient, condition for simulated games leading to real money gambling is that simulated play must come first. Method: Participants were 1,026 young adults (aged 18-25 years) who played video games in the last year. They reported the age at which they first took part in seven simulated and twelve monetary gambling products, and current gambling problems and harm. Results: First use of loot boxes and video games with gambling content tended to precede monetary gambling. Forms where gambling is a core gameplay element, such as social casino and demonstration games, tended to follow some monetary gambling forms. Engagement in most simulated gambling products was associated with greater harm from monetary gambling. Discussion: The findings leave open the possibility of a catalyst pathway from youth engagement in loot boxes and games with gambling content to later monetary gambling, but causal psychosocial mechanisms remain unclear. However, a pathway from social casino and demonstration games to monetary gambling appears less likely, which may instead reflect containment or substitution effects. Simulated gambling disproportionately attracts youth who are vulnerable to gambling problems and harm, indicating the need for consumer protection measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compulsivity is the hallmark of addiction progression and, as a construct, has played an important role in unveiling the etiological pathways from learning mechanisms underlying addictive behavior to harms resulting from it. However, a sound use of the compulsivity construct in the field of behavioral addictions has been hindered to date by the lack of consensus regarding its definition and measurement. Here we capitalize on a previous systematic review and expert appraisal to develop a compulsivity scale for candidate behavioral addictions (the Granada Assessment for Cross-domain Compulsivity, GRACC). Methods: The initial scale (GRACC90) consisted of 90 items comprising previously proposed operationalizations of compulsivity, and was validated in two panel samples of individuals regularly engaging in gambling and video gaming, using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and convergence analyses. Results: The GRACC90 scale is unidimensional and structurally invariant across samples, and predicted severity of symptoms, lower quality of life, and negative affect, to similar degrees in the two samples. Additionally, poorer quality of life and negative affect were comparably predicted by compulsivity and by severity of symptoms. A shorter version of the scale (GRACC18) is proposed, based on selecting the 18 items with highest factor loadings. Conclusions: Results support the proposal that core symptoms of behavioral addictions strongly overlap with compulsivity, and peripheral symptoms are not essential for their conceptualization. Further research should clarify the etiology of compulsive behavior, and whether pathways to compulsivity in behavioral addictions could be common or different across domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gambling is an emerging public health issue within Australia, which can lead to various adverse impacts on individuals and society. Online gambling is becoming increasingly popular and is considered a high-risk environment where problem gambling is likely to occur. This rising prevalence emphasises the need for prevention and responsible gambling initiatives in Australia. C'Mon Australia Don't Let the Game Play Ya! is a recently developed responsible gambling video campaign. The campaign focuses on online gambling and aims to promote responsible gambling messages towards young Australians, a vulnerable population at risk of gambling-related harm. This study qualitatively evaluated the campaign to gather feedback and understand whether the campaign raised awareness of gambling participation and associated risks. The sample (n = 8) was comprised of young adults in Australia, who were aged between 18 and 24 and were not required to be gamblers to participate. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted and responses were analysed using thematic analysis. Results revealed mainly positive feedback, commenting on the design elements, the messaging, and the dissemination of the campaign. The feedback highlighted likeable features of C'Mon Australia Don't Let the Game play Ya! and provided suggestions for revisions. This study provides valuable insight to inform the development of future responsible gambling campaigns, and future research is recommended to evaluate the campaign across varying contexts, timeframes, and demographics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays learning English is offered at all schooling levels as this language has proved to be necessary in almost all walks of life. Nevertheless, with regard to the students' socioeconomic status, the ultimate goal of reaching the highest skills is rarely attainable for all. Research has revealed that the better educated parents, with a wider mother tongue (L1) vocabulary, may supply room for their children's second (L2) or third (L3) language acquisition, thus setting higher demands for their children. Parents with higher socioeconomic status can also provide special education to their children, such as extracurricular classes or fee-paying schools. Such educative options may give deeper perceptions of the target language and culture, therefore gifted students living in a disadvantaged situation should not be abandoned by the educational system. This research is seeking answers of the facilitative factors of foreign language learning in relation to the students' socioeconomic status and video gaming. The collected data of the secondary school students (n= 890) also provides their school grades in their English language courses, which is used as indicators of correct language use and the devices on which the video gamer students can play. The results indicate that the VLT test results of the participants correlate highly with their socioeconomic status and school grades in English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Many new digital gambling-like activities such as loot boxes, esports betting, skin betting, and token wagering have recently emerged and grown in popularity. This scoping review aimed to: (a) synthesize the existing empirical research literature on gambling-like activities and their associations with gambling and video gaming behaviors, including problem gambling and video gaming; (b) identify sociodemographic, psychological, and motivational factors associated with engagement in gambling-like activities; and (c) identify research gaps and areas for further research. Methods: A systematic search of Ovid, Embsco, and ProQuest databases and Google Scholar was conducted in May 2021 and last updated in February 2022. The search yielded a total of 2,437 articles. Articles were included in the review if they were empirical studies that contained quantitative or qualitative results regarding the relationship between gambling-like activities and gambling or gaming. Results: Thirtyeight articles met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Overall, the review results suggest that all forms of gambling-like activities were positively associated with gambling and gaming with small to medium effects. Gambling-like activity participation was also positively associated with mental distress and impulsivity. Gaps identified included a lack of inquiry into skin betting and token wagering, a lack of diversity in the research methods (i.e., mainly cross-sectional surveys), and a paucity of research that includes more ethnically, culturally, and geographically diverse populations. Discussion: Longitudinal studies with more representative samples are needed to examine the causal link between gambling-like activities and gambling and video gaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars in recent years have explored the connections between video games, literacy, and learning. Research illustrates that video games can serve as texts for engagement and analysis in English language arts classrooms. Scholars have also demonstrated how games themselves effectively integrate a complex array of learning principles that help players understand and progress in the game. In this article, we explore how recent efforts in game design to promote accessibility for differently abled gamers have implications for literacy education that can promote inclusivity and equity in English language arts classrooms. While recognizing the social construction of the concept of (dis)abilities, we explore existing literature on the video games, literacy, accessibility, and universal design for learning. We then demonstrate specific ways that video game designers promote visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive accessibility for gamers and share how literacy educators can draw upon these strategies to promote accessibility in their curriculum and instruction to help all students engage, learn, and thrive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Data from several areas of public health (e.g., harmful alcohol and tobacco) are consistent with the assertion that children's exposure to advertising strategies increases intention to consume such products. Most studies have measured self-rated impact of gambling advertising using questionnaires. Given that gambling advertisements come in different forms such as print media/television advertising and contain variable content, it is difficult to understand using subjective measures which aspects of the gambling advertisements increase craving and desire to trigger a gambling session. In the present study, we applied a novel data-driven methodology that directly tracks eye movements to reveal attentional biases towards gambling adverts and promotions by examining differences in young people's eye gaze behaviour when watching gambling and non-gambling (control) moving adverts. Method: A total of 98 (16–18 years old) children who self-identify as having a low or high craving to gambling watched gambling and non-gambling (control) television adverts, while their eye movements were recorded. Results: The results show that the data-driven method can isolate video clips that best distinguish people on the low-high craving spectrum, reveal the type of each video clip with the largest group differences, and accurately predict young people's gambling craving on the basis of eye movement patterns. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that young people's craving for gambling can be predicted based on their eye movements to video clips of gambling advertisements and that certain features of gambling advertisements may be more appealing to some group of viewers, particularly those with high craving for gambling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this autoethnographic text I unveil new possibilities to better understand learning in video gaming. In many ways, the use of video gaming in schooling has merely moved the bubble sheet to the screen, continuing the problematic idea that to learn is to repeat pre-established answers. In sharp contrast with this model, I rely on Diller's concept of torpification, the capacity to be moved or awed morally, ethically, aesthetically, epistemologically, and/or ontologically1 to share my experiences of learning through video gaming. I offer three epiphanies that made me face my own ignorance, question my identity, and rebuild my understanding of the world. By sharing my stories, I invite fellow players/scholars to engage on the autoethnographic path and to continue examining and sharing their learning experiences as insiders to the video-gaming community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of an active video gaming (AVG) classroom curriculum on health-related fitness, school day steps, and motivation in sixth graders. Methods: A convenience sample of 65 sixth graders were recruited from 2 classrooms from a school located in the Western United States. One classroom served as the comparison group (n = 32) that participated in active free play, and one classroom served as the intervention group (n = 33) that participated in an AVG curriculum for 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week, for 18 weeks. Cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed using Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run laps. School day steps were recorded, and motivational variables were collected using questionnaires. Measures were collected at baseline and an 18-week posttest time point. Results: There was a significant group × time interaction for Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run laps (b = 20.7 laps; 95% confidence interval, 14.6 to 26.8; P <.001). No statistically significant interactions were found for step counts or any of the motivational variables. Conclusions: An 18-week AVG classroom curriculum improved cardiorespiratory endurance relative to the comparison group in sixth graders. This study supports the use of low-cost AVG curricula to improve the health-related fitness of youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loot Boxes (LBs), i.e., virtual items embedded within video games with numerous features reminiscent of gambling, are increasingly widespread among adolescents. LB use is associated with problem gambling in youth, but few studies have been conducted on the association between LB use and gambling behavior considering adolescents. Thus, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not clear. As LB use is a significant and positive risk factor for video gaming severity, and video gaming is associated with problem gambling, we hypothesized that LB use would be related to gambling frequency and problem gambling through the intermediary role of video gaming frequency and problem video gaming. We tested our hypothesis before COVID-19-pandemic-related lockdown and during COVID-19-pandemic-related lockdown, in Italy. Study 1 was conducted with 1,078 high school students (39% boys, mean age = 16.46, SD = 1.28) before COVID-19-pandemic-related lockdown, and Study 2 was conducted with 1,204 high school students (57% boys, mean age = 15.62, SD = 0.64) during COVID-19-pandemic-related lockdown. A path analysis was carried out to analyze the significance of indirect effects from LB use to gambling behavior and problem gambling through video gaming and problem video gaming. In both the studies, results showed that LB use exerted significant and positive direct effects on video gaming frequency, problem video gaming, and gambling frequency. Moreover, LB use had indirect significant and positive effects on problem gambling through video gaming frequency, problem video gaming, and gambling frequency. Findings attest that LB use can be related to problem gambling through a greater involvement in videogames. Thus, a specific subtype of young gamblers can develop Gambling Disorder symptoms from the use of LBs and through an intense use of video games. Practical implications for prevention and treatment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most epidemiological surveys focus on adult gambling behaviors related to traditional gambling forms, while studies on novel forms often focus on loot boxes and cryptocurrency trading individually. This study examines the co-ocurrence of emergent gambling and gambling-like practices, analyzing the demographic and psychological characteristics of involved gamblers. A cross-sectional study surveyed 1429 Spanish individuals aged 18–65, using a web-based questionnaire. The survey assessed participation in 19 gambling (e.g., lotteries, sports betting) and gambling-like activities (e.g., trading of cryptocurrencies and other assets, buying loot-boxes), along with sociodemographic and substance use. Problem gambling (PGSI), Impulsivity (UPPS-P), and cognitive distortions (Labrador’s cognitive distortions scale) were also assessed. Participants who gambled over the past year (n = 921) were classified into four groups: traditional gambling (TG) only (64.5%, n = 594), TG with trading activities (27.5%, n = 253), TG with gambling withing video games or streaming platforms (2.5%, n = 23), and TG with both trading and video gambling (5.5%, n = 51). Most gamblers engaged exclusively in traditional formats, but 35.5% also participated in novel gambling forms. Those involved in both trading and video gambling were generally younger, male, with higher levels of impulsivity and gambling-related cognitive distortions compared to TG-only gamblers (p < 0.001). This group also exhibited higher rates of problem gambling and substance use (p < 0.001). This study emphasize the importance of including emerging gambling activities, which are particularly prevalent among high-risk gamblers, in epidemiological surveys. Identifying new gambling patterns and associated risk factors could help optimize public policies and develop more effective regulatory and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is argued that approaching video gaming as a (techno)cultural practice can enrich the understanding of the cultural heritage represented in video games, as well as their value, since games have become an important source of shared symbol systems amongst far-flung and heterogeneous audiences. The perceived realism of the environments (re)created in video games is a key concept for examining them and the consequences particular to this medium, namely, their capacity for the re-localisation of heritages places. In this paper, a qualitative and explorative study is undertaken through ethnographic research which draws on data from interviews. Photo elicitation has been used to assess the perceived realism of heritage places in video games, and the impact this has on players' perceptions and attitudes towards those places, in order to understand how this might effect social spacialities. A number of challenges are highlighted, particularly the importance for depictions of heritage places to be clearly recognisable, and to ensure an integrated future for the socioeconomic life of heritage places through the new realities which are defining society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loot boxes (LBs) are video game-related purchases with a chance-based outcome. Due to similarities with gambling, they have come under increasing scrutiny from media, academics and policymakers alike. Initial evidence suggested that LB engagement might be associated with both problem gambling (PG) and problem video gaming (PVG). We therefore conducted a systematic review of the evidence for associations between LB purchasing, PG and PVG. For LB/PG, 12 of 13 publications reported a positive relationship, with a moderately sized mean effect of r =.27. For LB/PVG, the mean effect was r =.40, although this finding was drawn from only six surveys in total. For PG/PVG, the mean effect was r =.21, with only 11 of 20 studies reporting significant effects. While further evidence is required to determine the direction of causality, the strength of relationships suggests that policy action on LBs may have benefits for harm minimisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Note compares eSports gambling regulations in the United States with regulations implemented in various foreign countries. eSports is a rapidly growing form of sport competition centered around video games. Video games have been a widely popular form of entertainment spanning the globe for many years. However, treating video games as a professional sport and form of monetized competition is a very recent phenomenon in the global mainstream market. Like traditional sports such as football and basketball, eSports have garnered significant attention in the gambling market. Sports betting has long been prevalent in the underworld of the United States, but the recent Supreme Court repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) marked a historical development in legalized American sports gambling. This repeal has resulted in the legalization of betting for traditional sports in many jurisdictions; however, some states have been hesitant to also legalize eSports betting. As individual states continue paving the road to legalized and regulated sports betting, they should consider eSports gambling regulatory frameworks in jurisdictions like Isle of Man, the United Kingdom and South Korea as guidelines before adopting their own eSports wagering laws and regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Games of chance are woven into the fabric of human culture. Rapid shifts in technology have resulted in the creation of the loot box, a new video game monetization scheme formed from the dregs of slot machines and trading cards. While extremely lucrative, the existence of loot boxes allows game companies to expose children to wager-like behavior, potentially creating a new generation of problem gamblers. The United States is both financially and culturally tied to video games as an industry and has been slow in its regulation of loot boxes. Given the problematic nature of loot boxes, existing regulations in the United States are not enough to curb their negative impact. Similarly, South Korea has deep ties to gaming and has taken a more hands-off approach in its supervision over loot boxes. This Comment argues that South Korea’s approach is ineffective, and the United States would be better served by following the example of countries like Belgium. Loot boxes in video games are an egregious abuse of children’s susceptibility to predatory marketing schemes and should be banned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current online virtual gaming arena must first be understood prior to making any suggestions that could power the future of videogaming. Online gaming may become a very profitable educational platform that facilitates children’s acquisition of important skills in a complementary and fun way. Beyond any shadow of doubt, education is a powerful force for social change. In this article, an exploration of the benefits children and adult gamers (e.g., millennials) may derive from playing online games takes place using secondary research in an attempt to show how this could transform the education industry in the near future. This possibility may come to fruition with the help of business organisations whose online game-developer (creative) teams successfully avoid battle scenes covered in blood. A competitive advantage can support the traditional way of learning and set a point of reference for others to emulate. Future research could empirically test the psychological effects stemming from playing online games that are absent of any gory scenes. The role of ethics is vital to the consideration of this issue of online gaming. However, a discussion of this broader issue will not be included in this analysis. For the purpose of objectivity, salient limitations relating to online gaming will also be examined [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of participant observation and questionnaire data, we consider the cultural shaping of video gaming pleasure and distress in face-to-face gaming centers in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. We analyze how and why young adult Indian gamers experience their play as both deeply satisfying and dangerously addictive. To explain this dual consciousness, we join the concept of cultural consonance (individuals' relative consistency with their culture) with the theory of cognitive dissonance (the experience of distress when individuals are unable to eliminate incompatibilities in conflicting beliefs). Specifically, we consider Udaipuri gamers' attempts to minimize distress arising from their commitment to conflicting online and offline cultural norms related to "true gamer" identity and to local marriage and career expectations—an example of what we call cultural dissonance. We highlight how our cultural dissonance account of mental well-being is enhanced by examining intersections of local cultures with global media, attending to the stigma felt by members of oppositional subcultures, and relying on ethnography. More generally, we illustrate how formal cultural norm accounts of health developed in psychological anthropology benefit by engaging broader cultural anthropological theory and method, which refines consonance and dissonance health explanations in the context of social complexity. This paper, then, is an illustration of the power of mixing mathematical and ethnographic methods to understand human experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare loot box rewards trigger larger arousal and reward responses, and greater urge to open more loot boxes. To the Editor: The potential harms of loot boxes and similarly randomised monetisation methods in video games (hereinafter, random reward mechanisms (RRMs) (Nielsen and Grabarczyk [16])), and the relationship between RRMs and gambling have been identified and established in the literature to a limited extent (Brooks and Clark [3]; Drummond and Sauer [5]; King and Delfabbro [11], [12]; Kristiansen and Severin [13]; Larche et al. [14]; Li et al. [15]; Nielsen and Grabarczyk [16]; Xiao and Henderson [27]; Zendle et al. [31]; Zendle et al. [30]; Zendle and Cairns [28], [29]). ESRB's and PEGI's Self-Regulatory "Includes Random Items" Labels Fail to Ensure Consumer Protection The use of the more inclusive terminology of "Random Items", rather than "loot boxes", correctly recognised that loot boxes represent only one particular implementation of RRMs (Nielsen and Grabarczyk [16]). [Extracted from the article]

The operation of video gambling terminals (VGTs) in Illinois has been increasing since they were legalized in 2009, then implemented in 2012. Past research has found that while gambling expenditures are positively correlated with income, they are also regressive in that, as a proportion of individual income, they are negatively correlated with income. Very little research has focused on the effects of VGTs, particularly those located in non-casino establishments. Unlike the state lottery, another form of widespread gambling outside of casinos, VGTs, also known as slot machines, are a form of gambling where substantial amounts of money can be lost quickly. We seek to provide evidence on how their proliferation and revenues relate to income and other neighborhood characteristics. Using detailed VGT revenue data from the Illinois Gaming Board from 2017 and demographic data from the 2016 5-year American Community Survey, this study investigates the relationships of the number of VGTs in operation, and the expenditures on VGTs with the local poverty rate and other socioeconomic variables at the zip code level. Our results indicate that a 1 percentage point higher poverty rate is associated with 1.47% higher VGT expenditures per capita, and 1.17% more VGTs per 10,000 population. The OLS results are not significantly biased by sample selection or spatial auto-correlation. These findings suggest that VGT gambling is negatively correlated with neighborhood income which implies that the taxation of VGT revenue is a regressive tax policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Esports betting is an emerging gambling activity where individuals place bets on an organized video gaming competition. It represents only one of several gambling activities commonly endorsed by adolescents. To date, limited research has explored the relationship between esports betting and mental health among adolescents and its convergence with both problem gambling (PG) and problem video gaming (PVG). The present study examined the relation between esports betting, PG and PVG, and both externalizing and internalizing problems among adolescents while accounting for adolescents’ video gaming intensity (i.e., how often they play 2 h or more in a day) and engagement in other gambling activities. Methods: Data was collected from 6,810 adolescents in Wood County, Ohio schools. A subset of 1,348 adolescents (Mage 5 14.67 years, SD 5 1.73, 64% male) who had gambled and played video games during the past year were included in the analyses. Results: Approximately 20% (n 5 263) of the included sample had bet on esports during the past year. Esports betting was positively correlated with other forms of gambling, both PG and PVG, and externalizing behaviors. Mediation analyses revealed esports betting was associated to both internalizing and externalizing problems through PVG and not PG. Conclusions: Esports betting may be particularly appealing to adolescents who are enthusiastic video gamers. As such, regulators must be vigilant to ensure codes of best practices are applied to esports betting operators specifically for underaged individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to describe the new formats and advertising content used in videos related to gambling on the Internet and minors, and whether these formats are currently regulated or may pose an additional risk to minors. For this study, content analysis of 50 YouTube videos (a total of 574 minutes) was carried out, based on a previous screening of 500 units. We worked with a convenience sample obtained through a systematic search (keywords) followed by the snowball method. Among the most relevant results, it is worth mentioning that the currently approved regulation, the Spanish Royal decree on commercial communications in gaming activity, does not consider advertising content such as tutorials or sports bets, nor various formats or social networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitive video gaming, presently defined and widely known as eSports, has been rising rapidly in popularity. Accordingly, research in eSports has gained interest for scholars to study the eSport industry in greater depth. However, much research has assumed eSports as the minority compared to traditional sport and rarely has explored the implications that can apply to the established traditional sport industry and marketing practices. In fact, eSport viewership is now similar to or higher than traditional sports, such as Major League Baseball (MLB). Thus, the eSport industry has now advanced to the point where their unique characteristics can significantly impact the overall sport industry. As eSports has grown rapidly enough to be considered as the mainstream industry, identifying the unique but positive aspects of eSports and considering applying eSports' strengths to traditional sports is necessary. This research is one of the first attempts to provide the unique characteristics of eSports by presenting an in-depth comparison with traditional sports and a comprehensive literature review. This study's contribution will be to broaden research opportunities in eSports and marketing literature. Ideas for future research and directions will also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Gaming; gambling; digital games; digital consumption; microtransactions; loot boxes EN Gaming gambling digital games digital consumption microtransactions loot boxes 3 13 11 05/17/21 20210201 NES 210201 Introduction The consumption of digital games has become increasingly "gamblified" ([14]; [46]) in recent years. Firstly, we will offer a literature review of digital game consumption practices in order to ground the subsequent consideration of gaming and gambling; the "voice" of consumer-focused research has been missing from these debates thus far, and it is through bringing together these kinds of literature that we aim to address this gap in research. Even the simplest digital games tend to be orders of magnitude more complex in design than predigital gambling forms, this observation shows the need for a more critical and interdisciplinary approach if gaming-gambling phenomena are to be usefully understood. Within game studies, meanwhile, we propose that a thorough engagement with gamblification is increasingly essential for the discipline's vitality and relevance, especially in matters of political economy, game production, game consumption and user experience. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Journal of Gambling Issues is the property of Centre for Addiction & Mental Health and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Over the past decade, more and more video game developers have embraced "loot boxes" as a lucrative source of revenue. But recent concerns over the potential harms of loot boxes, particularly to children, have raised questions about their use and prompted attempts to regulate them throughout the world. This Note explores recent attempts--both foreign and domestic--to regulate loot boxes and proposes new solutions based on those strategies' shortcomings. By carefully and competently defining terms and exceptions, and providing for more aggressive oversight of agency regulatory efforts, federally-crafted loot box legislation can more effectively protect children from predatory gambling mechanics in video games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few investigations have focused on problematic social casino gaming. Social casino games are a type of video game that feature gambling elements. Unlike gambling machines, social casino games present with a number of added interactive features that render them more like video games. Therefore, problematic social casino gaming may present with symptoms that reflect both problem video gaming and problem gambling. To investigate the overlap, this study examined a new measure – the Problematic Social Casino Gaming Scale (PSCGS) – in 436 social casino game players. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single-factor structure that was further supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The PSCGS demonstrated high internal consistency. The latent profile analysis of the PSCGS classified participants into three groups, representing different levels of problematic social casino gaming. Players classified as high severity played social casino games more frequently, were more likely to spend money on social casino games, and evidenced greater severity of problem video gaming and problem gambling than other players. Collectively, results provide initial evidence of the psychometric properties of the PSCGS and characteristics of problematic social casino gaming. Such findings could inform future research into the etiology, nature, and course of problematic social casino gaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both problem gambling (PG) and problem video gaming (PVG) contribute to physical, psychological, and interpersonal issues, and are associated with elevated substance use. This is particularly troublesome among emerging adults (18–27 years) who report high levels of substance use and represent a significant proportion of the gamblers and video game players. The present study assessed PG and PVG symptoms among 1,621 emerging adults (54.5% female; M = 20.55, SD = 2.70) in conjunction with their frequency of using cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs (e.g. cocaine, opioids). Results revealed that 6.1% and 22.7% of emerging adults were at-risk for PG or PVG, respectively. Those at at-risk for either PG or PVG had used substances more frequently than those who were either non-problematic or at low-risk. A small subset of participants (2.2%) were at-risk for both PG and PVG and were the most likely to report using cigarettes, marijuana, and other drugs frequently, even after accounting for the effects of age, gender, race, and gambling and video gaming frequency. As such, exhibiting a risk for both PG and PVG places individuals at greater risk for substance use. The implications of these findings to policy and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2012, Illinois passed legislation allowing video gaming terminals (VGTs) outside of casinos. This legislation was passed to increase tax revenues from gambling in a market that had seen decreases in revenues and admissions over the past 8 years. VGTs may substitute for casino gambling and have a negative impact on casino and tax revenue. Using ordinary least squares and vector autoregressive models, we find that casino slot revenues decrease by about 0.05 percent for each 1 percent increase in VGT revenues. Admissions decrease by about eleven people per VGT. A Granger causality test suggests causation is running from VGTs to admissions. Thus, there is substitution between VGTs and casino gambling but not so large as to reduce tax revenue. Overall tax revenue from gambling, both casino and VGT, has increased for Illinois. However, local communities where casinos are located have experienced declines in casino tax revenue that have exceeded the gains from VGT revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]