Disclaimer: This is not a criticism of any singular company or product. Any mentioned company is purely for example in criticism of a systematic problem.
There is a growing epidemic among both adults and children – compulsive gambling. From Counter Strike loot boxes to Pokémon packs and Labubu mystery boxes, there are many more opportunities to gamble than in the past. And even more disturbing, there is a rise in these types of services being advertised to children. Today we will be diving into the world of gambling and how this addiction is spreading to youth.
What Is a Gambling Addiction?
Before we take a look at what is happening in today’s culture, it is important to understand what a gambling addiction looks like. The Mayo Clinic defines gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling or gambling disorder, as “the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life”. Gambling systems are designed to trigger the brain’s reward system much like the way drugs do. This can lead to the urge to “chase the high” and begin a cycle that can quickly become difficult to control. Additionally, individuals might begin to rationalize their addiction or ignore the devastating impacts compulsive gambling can cause.
While there are various factors that may make someone more vulnerable to addiction, anyone can fall into this cycle. Companies use psychological tactics in marketing, feeding into the addictive nature of gambling. The “foot in the door technique” is one such example. In this strategy, a company pitches a lower priced product. Gradually, prices may increase or they might start offering higher priced options. People are generally more open to paying more if they have said yes to lower options in the past. There is also a fear of missing out, especially with younger audiences. Advertisers play into these concerns. (If you would like to learn more about the psychology behind advertising let me know in the comments!)
Excessive gambling costs money and can cause financial strain – especially for those who are low-income. This in turn can put pressure on personal, familial, and even professional relationships. In the most extreme of cases, some individuals turn to theft or fraud in order to fund their addiction.
The Gambling Market and Unregulated Gambling
The gambling market is a multi-billion dollar industry that has been growing exponentially over the past few years. According to a 2025 report from the American Gaming Association, with the exception of 2020, the revenue for commercial casino gaming has increased every year for the past decade. As of 2024, the industry was worth $72.04 billion. This does not factor in illegal gambling or online purchases of items like loot boxes that are not well regulated under gambling law.
Toy and game companies have realized this growing trend and capitalized on the lack of regulation on non-traditional gambling. Children are often allowed to buy items that can be considered gambling such as mystery toy boxes or lot boxes for exclusive video game content – something we will touch more on later. By introducing mystery boxes and starting internet trends around these products, companies have been able to increase profits and obtain repeat customers who are willing to spend big.
Rare items are often resold for hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars. This adds another element to gambling as individuals invest in as many of these boxes as they can in hopes of getting a bigger payout. Companies contribute to the scarcity of these items by selling them exclusively through mystery boxes, encouraging customers to buy more.
Online Gambling
The internet provides us with easier access to numerous services – including gambling. COVID-19 sparked a global pandemic where people became isolated, bored, and dependent on the internet for many needs. Casinos closed and started investing more in online services in order to remain operational. This increased access to gambling and also introduced many to a new pastime.
There is also a variety in the type of gambling that is available online. Classic casino games, sports betting, and video game loot boxes are all popular gambling formats. This appeals to a wider audience that may not have been open to traditional gambling in the past. Another important factor to note is that it can often be easier for people to spend more online than in-person. Buying items or services online is convenient and bypasses factors that can contribute to buyer hesitation.
Children’s Collectables
An especially insidious aspect of modern gambling is the fact that there are now many products being advertised directly to children. There has been a noticeable increase in children’s toys and collectables with gambling or “mystery box” components. Most notable recent examples include Labubu mystery boxes and Pokémon card packs. While there are many adults who buy these products, it is clear that advertisers target children, often preying on their desire to fit in with their peers.
Perhaps the most startling fact is that problem gambling impacts more youth than adults. Children have become so immersed in gambling culture that is a normal part of many childhoods. When something is normalized at a young age, it can have lasting impact and can be difficult to undo. It is important for children to establish financial literacy and good financial habits from a young age in order to set them up for success in life.
Protecting Children from Problematic Gambling
The number one way children learn is through imitating the behavior of adults in their lives. If you are a parent who struggles with compulsive gambling, the best thing you can do for your kids is to get help for yourself. Model responsible financial habits talk to them about the risks of gambling.
Educating both yourself and your child about gambling addiction is a vital step towards protecting them. It is important to know the signs and be able to recognize them early on. The earlier the intervention, the easier it is to disrupt the cycle. Common warning signs include changes in behavior, secrecy around internet use or money, and excessive competitiveness. Note that these changes can also be symptoms of a different issue or simply part of adolescence. It is important to have an open and honest discussion with your child before jumping to conclusions.
With young children, it is especially important to monitor internet use. Limiting screen time can help reduce exposure to sources that promote gambling. Knowing what sites your child is visiting is important in protecting them in a variety of ways. Young children should never have unsupervised access to the internet or your payment information. Do not save payment information on devices that will be used by your children.
Finally, you can support legislation that regulates online gambling services and holds companies responsible for their advertising. While online gambling services have boomed, the law has not caught up. Many of these services have gotten around loopholes by offering loot boxes or mystery packs that grant access to some kind of digital product. Because there is a guarantee you get something, it is not legally classified as gambling. However, the value of items is not guaranteed and the same risks still exist. This applies to physical products like mystery card packs or mystery toy boxes as well. Where there are age restrictions in place, there are influencers who teach children how to get around them and there is no way to hold these individuals responsible in many cases. Companies acknowledge that much of their consumer base are youth but do nothing to change their practices. By enacting legislation that holds influencers and companies responsible for their advertisements and content, we can better fight the cycle of youth gambling addiction.
Closing
Only by recognizing gambling trends, learning risks, and identifying problematic gambling can we stop the cycle. While understanding the psychological manipulations used by casinos and companies can help us hold them accountable, parents should also be proactive in addressing gambling with their children. Compulsive gambling is not just an adult issue – it is a youth problem and a growing epidemic.
If you struggle with a gambling addiction, please contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline or see Resources for further assistance.
For more information on compulsive gambling and references I used in writing this post, please see the following resources…
Compulsive Gambling (Mayo Clinic)
COVID-19: Increased Isolation Adds Problem Gambling Concern (Council on Chemical Abuse)
State of the States 2025 (American Gaming Association)
Teens gambling. It’s a risk. (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
Although this is not the usual type of reference I use, I also want to give a special shout out to the video series that inspired me to look more into this topic….
Coffeezilla’s Counter Strike Gambling Investigation (YouTube)
Finally, thank YOU for reading! Please share if you learned something new or are as passionate about this problem as much as I am. Your support is greatly appreciated. Stay safe out there and check back later for more discussions on mental health.
Leave a Reply