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Gaming and gambling are very similar activities; the gambling industry even uses these terms interchangeably. The main difference between the terms is that for gaming the outcome is achieved by skill, not chance, whereas for gambling, the opposite is true.
Many gaming activities now include gambling features and vice versa. These activities are referred to as gambling-like gaming and gaming-like gambling. Due to the overlap in these activities, and the rapid growth of these activities in recent years, researchers have created a framework to help differentiate between them.
An example of gambling-like gaming is a video game that features mini-games you can bet on in a simulated casino. There are also many opportunities to participate in social casino games through social media. Another example is a video game that features loot boxes, where players can spend money for access to unknown game features. Some regions, however, have banned loot boxes because they are so similar to gambling. Free gambling-like games are now more commonly played when compared to online gambling for money. Studies show that young adults and adults who are exposed to these types of games may be more likely to develop gambling problems. There is no evidence to support why this may be the case, although it may be due, in part, to how similar games have become to gambling. In recent years, there has also been an increase in the number of people who bet on different outcomes of video games.
An example of gaming-like gambling is an electronic gaming machine (EGM) that has the same theme as a popular television game show. Another example using EGMs is that they now have an element of skill, or a feature that makes it seem like skill is needed. Researchers believe that features such as these help to attract young participants and keep them gambling.
The convergence of these two activities may make gaming and gambling more exciting for players and lead to higher levels of participation. However, more research is needed to understand the true impact of the convergence of gambling and gaming.
Download the two-page Gambling Exposure Factor summary (PDF)
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Download the Gambling Exposure Factor section from the Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (PDF)
Download the complete Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (PDF)
Search the Evidence Centre for Gaming and Gambling