From gambling-like elements in and around video games to monetary gambling: testing a pathway model among adolescents

The lines between video games and gambling have been blurring, raising concerns for vulnerable players. The inclusion of gambling-like elements in games is considered a potential gateway to gambling with real money. Research has shown correlations between interacting with gambling-like elements and (problematic) gambling behavior. To date, no longitudinal research has examined this gateway hypothesis in adolescents. A two-wave survey (with a 1-year interval) was conducted among 561 Flemish (i.e. the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium) adolescents (ages 10–17 in the first wave, 43.3% boys). The prevalence of interacting with gambling-like elements in and around video games and gambling was 75.5% and 60.3%, with boys taking part significantly more often. Bivariate correlations showed significant, positive associations between interacting with gambling-like elements and gambling attitudes, norms, intentions, and behaviors. Cross-lagged panel analysis and structural equation modeling showed a longitudinal model from gambling-like elements to gambling. Interacting with gambling-like elements in the first wave was significantly predictive of gambling behavior at wave two, indirectly via gambling attitude and intention. The findings underscore the value of a reasoned action approach in predicting the effects of a variety of gambling-like elements -beyond loot boxes - on gambling.