LOOT BOX…GAMBLING?

The ‘loot box’ has become a prevalent monetization method in the gaming industry where users receive a randomly selected in-game reward after paying a fee. The items in these boxes can range from cosmetic items to valuable tools that help players gain a competitive advantage. This mechanism is akin to gambling because players can utilize in-game trading platforms or third-party platforms to trade in-game items for actual currency. This thesis will argue that the elements of chance, purchase, and reward involved with this mechanism exploit the same neurological reward pathways associated with gambling in a way that leaves audiences of adolescents, pathological gamblers, and individuals with anxiety more at risk of impulsive choice and maladaptive behaviors such as Problem Gambling (PG) and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Because of the risks associated with this mechanism, the federal government should implement stricter regulations to warn and protect at-risk and underage players.