Loot box purchasing and indebtedness: The role of psychosocial factors and problem gambling.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Loot boxes are increasingly common random-reward monetization mechanisms in digital games. They are popular among gamblers and pose various risks due to their gambling-like nature, but little is known about psychosocial vulnerabilities and financial consequences of purchasing them. This article examined psychosocial associations with self-reported increase in loot box purchasing and indebtedness among past-year gamblers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey data were collected in April 2021 from Finnish, Swedish, and British past-year gamblers aged 18 to 75 (n = 2,022). Measures of loneliness, psychological resilience, and problem gambling were studied in relation to loot box purchasing and indebtedness. Structural equation modeling was us

SUBMITTER: Sirola A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10616135 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature