People with gaming disorder (GD) typically have trouble stopping when gaming, even if they experience negative consequences. Simulated gambling games include gambling activities or have similar structural characteristics. There are three main types of simulated gambling games: games with ‘mini’ gambling components, social casino games, and loot boxes. This study examined whether greater engagement in and greater spending on these types of simulated gambling increased the risk of GD in adolescents. A sample of Australians aged 12 to 17 years was surveyed, including 646 participants who gamed in the last year. Adolescents who engaged in simulated gambling (all types) in the last month were more likely to have GD than those who did not participate in simulated gambling. This link was strongest for social casino games, followed by games with ‘mini’ gambling components, and finally loot boxes. Participants who spent money in simulated gambling games (e.g., microtransactions and loot boxes) were more likely to have GD.