Loot Boxes and the Gambling Experience

If you're watching sport or browsing social media, odds are you will come across gambling ads. If you work in an office, you might've joined Melbourne Cup or footy tipping comps.

In Australia, it can feel like gambling is everywhere.

Today, we look at how everything from video games to shopping sites seem to be priming us for betting-like behaviours, and how the ubiquity of gambling ads is influencing young people in particular.

And if you haven't already, please take a moment to fill out our listener survey! It's only 7 questions and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

Guests:

Dr Hannah PittVicHealth Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute for Health Transformation Deakin University

Dr Anastasia HronisClinical psychologistLecturer, University of Technology Sydney

Nic BloomMental health first aid trainerWellbeing facilitator and speaker

Credits:

• Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
• Senior producer: James Bullen
• Producer: Rose Kerr
• Sound engineer: Ann-Marie de Bettencor

Resources:

• Gambling Help Online or over the phone 1800 858 858
• Lifeline resources

Extra information:

• Meta-analysis of the relationship between problem gambling, excessive gaming and loot box spending
• Young people's recall and perceptions of gambling advertising and intentions to gamble on sport
• "It's just everywhere!" Children and parents discuss the marketing of sports wagering in Australia
• Gambling activity among Australian teenagers