Latest / Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Hidden Way Games Are Training Kids to Gamble
What if your child is learning to gamble… without ever placing a bet?
From loot boxes to “harmless” game rewards, today’s episode exposes the subtle systems inside kids’ games that are shaping how they think about money, risk, and reward.
New research shows a clear pattern: exposure leads to normalisation—and normalisation leads to real gambling.
If your child plays games, this isn’t optional listening.
KEY POINTS
75% of kids (10–17) are exposed to gambling-like features in games
Loot boxes mimic poker machines with random reward systems…
The skinny
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