Advertising and social media driving online gambling among young Australians

A young man holds up a mobile phone while watching a sporting match on TV. Gambling features such as loot boxes in video games and sports betting are the most popular forms of online gambling among young adults in the ACT, with many introduced to it before the age of 18, according to a new study from The Australian National University (ANU). The study asked 38 young people between the ages of 18 and 25 about their online gambling habits. Lead author, ANU Associate Professor Aino Suomi, said the vast majority of participants who engaged with gambling features such as loot boxes or skins in video games first did so in their early teens.   "These young people are typically playing video games on their home computers and interacting with friends on social platforms while they play," Associate Professor Suomi said.  "For them, gaming is an inherently social activity - one with a distinct sub-culture.  "Games such as Counterstrike and League of Legends are readily available to users of all'ages, so most of our participants first engaged with the gambling features seen in these games before turning 18.  "Most young people find the gambling features annoying. But many games won't let the player progress without engaging with these randomised features that essentially behave like pokie machines and that require real currency. "Young gamers also found it easy to link a parent or carer's credit card, or use a gift voucher, if real money was required."  While video games are a social outlet for many young adults, for some, peer pressure or improving their social status within the game is a key motivator for engaging with the gambling features to obtain in-game items.