Children Hooked on Gambling-Style Games: Experts Warn of Hidden Risks
Children are increasingly exposed to gambling-style mechanics in digital games, mobile apps, and even sports betting ads, putting them at risk of developing harmful behaviors long before they understand the real value of money. Experts warn that early exposure can affect brain development and shape risky financial habits that last into adulthood.
Gambling-style mechanics have become a routine part of children’s digital experiences. Online games such as Roblox and Fortnite, as well as mobile apps and advertisements surrounding popular media, often feature fast-paced reward systems that encourage repeated engagement. Spending real money in these virtual environments is frequently disconnected from tangible value, creating an environment where children may chase rewards without fully understanding the consequences.
University of Cincinnati experts have cautioned that these experiences activate dopamine pathways in the brain in ways similar to traditional gambling. Daniel Bebo, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at UC College of Medicine, explained that repeated exposure to risk-versus-reward mechanics can lead to tolerance, longer play sessions, and increased spending. “About 2% to 3% of adults struggle with gambling disorder. For children, it is closer to 4%,” Bebo said, emphasizing the heightened vulnerability of young users.
Reports from families indicate that virtual spending can be significant. Some households have spent nearly $100 monthly on in-game purchases, while individual children have estimated spending between $200 and $250. This financial engagement often occurs before children develop a concrete understanding of money, reinforcing risky behaviors early.
Gregory Stewart, PhD, associate professor at UC’s School of Social Work, highlighted that the risks were present even before the legalization of gambling in Ohio. As of December 2022, approximately 250,000 Ohioans were identified as at risk for problem gambling, a number that experts believe has increased. “What begins as play does not always stay that way,” Stewart said, noting that reward systems remain consistent as games evolve, ensuring that early behavioral patterns persist.
Protecting children from gambling-style mechanics
Measures can be taken by parents, companies, advocates, and government authorities to safeguard children from these hidden risks:
Parental oversight: Spending limits and time controls can be implemented to reduce prolonged exposure to gambling-style mechanics. Monitoring apps and reviewing in-game purchases can help parents identify concerning patterns.
Game design accountability: Gambling companies and game developers can be encouraged or required to clearly label in-game purchases and reward systems, provide cooling-off periods, and remove exploitative mechanics targeting children.
Government regulation: Policymakers can establish clear rules limiting the exposure of children to gambling-like elements, including restrictions on advertisements and mandatory age-appropriate content ratings.
Advocacy and education: Child protection organizations and public health advocates can raise awareness of the risks associated with early exposure to gambling mechanics, promote research, and create guidelines for safe digital engagement.
Experts stress that safeguarding requires a collective approach. Early exposure to risk-reward systems shapes both financial understanding and brain development, making preventive measures critical. Children’s interactions with digital environments are not always benign, and steps taken today can protect their decision-making and well-being in the future.
“Preventing early exposure to gambling-style mechanics is not just about limiting screen time, it is about protecting children’s long-term financial and psychological health,” Bebo said.
Through the combining parental involvement, corporate responsibility, government oversight, and advocacy, experts suggest that children can enjoy digital play while being shielded from harmful behavioral patterns that mimic gambling.
