The link between loot boxes and problem gambling in Mainland China, and opinions regarding probability disclosures and pity-timers

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Author(s): Xiao, Leon Y. ; Fraser, Tullia C. ; Newall, Philip W. S.

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: October 25, 2022

Studies in Western countries have found that loot boxes are linked with problem gambling. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the largest video game market in the world. This study examined the relationships between loot box purchasing, problem gambling, recent gambling participation, and impulsiveness among adults who play video game from PRC. An online survey was completed by 879 participants. People who spent more on loot boxes were slightly more likely to have gambled in the last year. Also, spending more on loot boxes was related to slightly higher impulsiveness. But the researchers could not conclude whether loot box spending was linked with problem gambling. The researchers discussed why the relationship between loot boxes and gambling might be weaker in the PRC than in Western countries.

Citation: Xiao, L. Y., Fraser, T. C., & Newall, P. W. S. (2022). Opening Pandora’s loot box: Weak links between gambling and loot box expenditure in China, and player opinions on probability disclosures and pity-timers. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10148-0

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10148-0

Keywords: consumer protection ; gambling ; loot boxes ; video games ; video gaming regulations

Topics: Information for Operators

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Environment - Culture of Social Responsibility ; Exposure - Convergence of Gaming and Gambling ; Gambling Exposure

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: China

Study Population: Participants had to be adults who played video games (18 years or older) who lived in Mainland China and had played video games in the last 12 months (n = 879). Most participants were men (80.7%) and students (63.8%). On average, participants were 23 years old. Less than 10% of participants gambled in the last year. Only 0.9% were labelled as having problem gambling. Almost all participants played video games in the last week (96.8%) and spent money on video games in the last 12 months (85.9%). Almost half of participants (48.7%) purchased loot boxes in the last year.

Sampling Procedure: The survey was advertised to the general public through Chinese video gaming internet forums. The researchers also sent the survey to the mailing list of the Chinese regional chapter of DiGRA (Digital Games Research Association) and the researchers’ social media.

Related Resources:

Gambling - Loot boxes People’s Republic of China survey

Study Funding:

The authors did not report any direct study funding that supported this research.