Date: 04.02.2025

by Sebastian Warowny

Early Loot Box Engagement Tied to Higher Gambling Risks Among Young Adults

A recent study by Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, reveals a significant connection between underage exposure to loot boxes in video games and subsequent risky gambling behaviors in adulthood.

Loot Boxes as a Gateway to Problematic Gambling

The study identifies loot boxes—virtual mystery boxes containing random in-game rewards—as a critical factor influencing future gambling habits. Among participants who purchased their first loot box before age 15, 87% exhibited risky gambling behaviors as adults.

Notably, 62% of current 18–24-year-olds who engaged with loot boxes did so while underage, with some starting as young as 12. The data further indicates that minors who interacted with these features were more likely to transition to monetary gambling upon reaching legal age.

Skin gambling, which involves wagering virtual items like character cosmetics, has surged alongside loot boxes. While prevalent among young males, the practice remains less common and understood by female respondents.

Over half of young men who gambled in the past year participated in skin betting, with 57% admitting to spending beyond their financial limits.

The report underscores a stark gender divide: males under 18 were far more likely to gamble via video games, with risky behavior rates doubling among high school-aged boys between 2021 and 2025.

Underage Gambling Escalates Across Platforms

The study highlights a rise in underage gambling, particularly through online casinos. Approximately 62% of minors who purchased loot boxes before 18 also gambled with real money illegally.

While most bets were small (under SEK100), instances of minors spending over SEK500 have increased since 2021.

Alarmingly, many underage players accessed both licensed and unregulated gambling sites, raising concerns about enforcement gaps.

Advertising Saturation and New Gambling Formats

Young adults reported daily exposure to gambling advertisements across traditional media, podcasts, and social platforms like TikTok. One respondent noted, “Gambling ads dominate sports content—they mention help services but still glamorize betting.”

The report also notes the growing popularity of live casino streams, with over half of surveyed youths having watched such content.

While wages and student loans fund most gambling activities for 18–24-year-olds, the study reveals troubling alternatives, including high-interest loans and illicit means. Minors primarily relied on allowances or student funds, though financial risks are escalating.

Concurrently, more young adults are seeking help: 21% of Sweden’s self-exclusion registry Spelpaus users in 2024 were aged 18–24, up from 17% in 2022.