Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ONLINE GAMES ‘LURE KIDS INTO GAMBLING’
Fears over the new must-have video challenge
CHILDREN are being turned into gamblers by must-have online computer games, experts claim.
Strategy survival challenge Fortnite: Battle Royale is the biggest craze since Pokemon Go – with 40 million users.
But the so-called “free” video game, where strangers go head-to-head in a gun battle, encourages youngsters to buy weapons and costumes.
Dr Jane Rigbye, from Gambleaware, said: “These games often have content with similar characteristics to gambling.
“This is a concern as we run the risk of normalising gambling for children.”
Previously available only on consoles and PCS, an Apple iphone version topped charts in 13 countries last month.
That grossed £1million for developer, Epic Games, in its first three days.
Though free to download, the gaming firm makes a fortune from the “gambling-like” features they insert into games – known as loot boxes and micro-transactions.
Youngsters commit to spending on items such as hats, weapons and umbrellas, often unaware of the costs. Roz Page, 49, from Essex, says her son Matthew, 10, is addicted to Fortnite and ran up a £139 bill in 30 minutes.
She added: “You need a credit card linked to the game to play. He is now doing chores to pay back the money.”
The Belgium Gaming Commission is already considering a “loot box” ban.
The Mirror has revealed how one in six kids, aged 11 to 15, gambles every week with 25,000 having difficulties.
Dr Rigbye added: “Gambling problems are a hidden addiction with parents unsure what signs to look for.”
Daniel Zeichner, Labour MP for Cambridge, said: “It’s clearly an issue that needs exploring.”
Epic Games did not respond to the Mirror’s request for comment.