Dangers in our midst that lure children into the misery of addiction
LOOT BOXES
looT boxes in computer games are virtual boxes used to redeem bonuses such as weapons and costumes.
Players pay real money for the boxes, which contain a random prize – a new gun in a shooting game, for example.
dr Mark Griffiths, from nottingham Trent University, believes the probability of winning should be made clear, for example, if there is a one in 50 chance of winning, the player can choose whether or not to open the loot box.
SCRATCHCARDS
CAmpAIgnerS are worried about the popularity among children of scratchcards, which can be bought by 16-year-olds. national Lottery operator Camelot has been criticised for appealing to a younger audience with board game themes such as mouse Trap and monopoly.
The instant win games have been condemned as they can lead on to other forms of betting.
ONLINE CASINOS
THESE have made it easier than ever to gamble from home. By law, they must ask the customer to agree they are 18 or older – but some websites have no further checks. Children can simply say they are over 18 and access the site.
Fears have been raised that sites raise the probability of a player winning in ‘free play’ mode – without using real money – to encourage them to bet with cash.
SOCIAL MEDIA
SOCIAL media companies have allowed gambling adverts to pop up on children’s profiles, with some believing this normalises gambling for youngsters.
Certain games played via social media require youngsters to use ‘virtual currency’, bought with real money. Children may enjoy the feeling they get when they win, which may mean they could get into real-life gambling habits as they get older.
FRUIT MACHINES
TradiTional forms of gambling also appeal to children. The Gambling Commission found 7 per cent of Scottish youngsters gamble ‘on a premises’, such as a pub.
over-18s can play fruit machines but so-called Category d fruit machines allow any age to gamble. Professor Gerda reith of Glasgow University said: ‘There is a lot of evidence that the younger they start playing the more likely they are to develop a problem in later life.
‘it teaches them something about how nice it is to win, and how good it feels. a lot of these machines are in seaside locations, so they’re on holiday and having a nice time.’