Loot boxes are in almost every major game these days, but they remain one of the most controversial topics in the space. New research from CQUniversity in Australia suggests that there's a correlation between players who purchase loot boxes and those who experience more serious gambling problems.

　　The study, which analyzed the behavior of nearly 2000 people, revealed that 69.4% of the research group had opened a loot box in a game in the last year. However, only 32.9% said that they had purchased a loot box in that same time period, meaning that a large percentage of players merely open the ones the game gives them through regular play. The study found that this latter group-- those respondents who had purchased one or more loot boxes--were more likely to engage in other forms of gambling, gamble more frequently, and suffer from a gambling compulsion.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Firearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023

　　State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight TrailerRed Dead Redemption 2 Wants To "Redefine" Gaming - GameSpot DailyBioWare Gives Mass Effect And Dragon Age Fans Some Hope - GameSpot DailyXbox One Backwards Compatibility Adds Two Splinter Cell Games - GameSpot DailyCrazy Discoveries In No Man's Sky Next Update - GameSpot DailySmash Bros Gamecube-Style Controllers For Nintendo Switch Look Rad - GameSpot DailyEA Wants To Replicate Fortnite's Success With A New Battle Royale Game - GameSpot Daily

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter

　　Now Playing: New Loot Box Report Confuses Gambling Discussion - GameSpot Daily

　　“For both young adults and adolescents, there was a strong association between current loot box use and gambling risk," a portion of the study reads. "Consequently, although median expenditure on loot boxes is modest, there is evidence that these products are associated with harmful gambling involvement.”

　　Though this study was sponsored by the Australian government, it remains to be seen if any laws will be enacted to protect potentially vulnerable populations. Previously, a report from a Australian government committee recommended that an age gate should be mandated to purchase loot boxes. At least one bill has been proposed to ban loot boxes in the US, although the measure has failed to gain much traction so far.