Childhood gambling addiction is rising in Russia
Childhood gambling addiction is rising in Russia, with teenagers spending hundreds of thousands of rubles on in-game items like skins and loot boxes, which mimic the mechanics of casino gambling. Experts warn of psychological risks and urge parents to recognize warning signs and seek professional help.
Consensus
- Childhood gambling addiction is increasing in Russia.
- Teenagers are spending large sums of money on in-game items such as skins and loot boxes.
- The mechanics of loot boxes and skins resemble those of casino gambling, contributing to addictive behavior.
- Children often hide their spending from parents, leading to unexplained losses of household funds.
- Experts consider the behavior a form of gambling addiction, especially prevalent among boys.
- The problem is linked to psychological mechanisms that mimic those in traditional gambling.
- Experts recommend open communication and professional treatment if dependency is suspected.
Points of divergence
- The number of gamblers in Russia has reached a record 13 million, about 12% of all adults, and the condition is considered one of the most common mental illnesses, primarily affecting men aged 25 to 44. — vm
- Psychologist Marianne Abrawitova states that even four-year-old children can be affected by these mechanisms. — vm
- Clinical psychologist Denis Avtomonov notes that constant anticipation of a big win fosters gambling behavior in children. — riamo
- Treatment for gaming addiction can cost up to 900,000 rubles per course. — riamo
- Gambling addiction is described as a physical dependence on gambling, with individuals continuing to play despite financial losses and debts, often driven by stress and psychological pressure. — vm
Coverage (3 sources)
- Child buys skins and loot boxes: how to recognize gambling addiction and what to do — Вечерняя Москва
- Turned games into online casinos: child gambling addiction is gaining momentum in Russia — РИАМО
- In Russia, alarming rise in children's gambling addiction is recorded — Вести