87% of Teens Who Buy Loot Boxes Develop Gambling Problems Later in Life

Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has released a report analyzing gambling trends among young people. According to iGaming Business, both traditional gambling and its digital counterparts — such as loot boxes* and skin gambling** — are becoming increasingly popular among minors.

One of the report’s key findings highlights a strong link between loot boxes and gambling. Data from Spelinspektionen shows that up to 87% of individuals who purchased loot boxes before the age of 15 later developed problematic gambling behaviors as adults.

Most 16- and 17-year-olds surveyed by Spelinspektionen expressed plans to start gambling as soon as they reach the legal age.

Among those who bought their first loot box before turning 18, 62% had already engaged in gambling before coming of age. Problem gambling patterns were also observed among skin gambling participants, with 57% of young players admitting they spend more than they can afford on these wagers.

The report also reveals that gambling-related issues are surfacing as early as age 14, with 9% of teens in this age group classified as problem gamblers — nearly double the 5% recorded in 2021.

Online casinos remain the most common form of gambling among minors.

With these trends on the rise, Sweden’s national self-exclusion service, Spelpaus, is seeing increasing demand among young players. Of its more than 117,000 registered users, around 25,000 — 21% of the total — are between the ages of 18 and 20.

* Loot boxes — paid in-game packs with randomized rewards, where players don’t know what they’ll get until after purchase.

** Skin gambling — a game where players wager virtual items, with the winner taking the entire prize pool.