A new national study has found that young people in Norway who spend heavily on computer games are more likely to develop gambling-related problems. The research, carried out by Spillforsk at the University of Bergen and led by Professor Ståle Pallesen, surveyed 9,000 young people aged 12 to 17 in 2025.

The study revealed that 27.7% of respondents had bought loot boxes in the past year, 29.4% had purchased virtual items known as skins, and 15.5% had taken part in skin betting, where players wager these digital items for prizes. These activities were strongly linked to gambling-like behavior, showing that gaming and gambling problems often overlap among youth.

According to the findings, 18.8% of young people said they had gambled in the past year. The rate was much higher among boys, with 27.7% compared to 9.3% among girls. Similar trends appeared with loot box purchases, reported by 45% of boys and only 9% of girls.

Experts Warn of Gambling-Like Games

Professor Pallesen explained that activities like loot boxes and skin betting act as a form of simulated gambling, where young people learn gambling behavior without realizing it. “Through simulated gambling, young people are socialised into gambling. They learn technical skills, but they learn a distorted reality where it seems easy to win,” he said.

Atle Hamar, Director of the Lottery and Foundations Authority, shared similar concerns. He said it is alarming that activities resembling gambling are drawing in young people and could lead to more gambling problems later in life. “It is worrying that these types of games have high addictive potential and should be restricted to those over 18,” Hamar noted.

Risk Factors and Warning Signs

The research also highlighted other factors linked to higher risks of gaming and gambling problems. These include bullying, poor health, low life satisfaction, frequent use of alcohol, tobacco and energy drinks, and weak parental support.

Overall, 7.1% of respondents met the criteria for gambling problems, while 15% showed signs of computer gaming problems. The overlap between these two groups suggests that gaming environments offering real-money-like features can encourage risky behavior among youth.

Call for Stronger Regulation

The study adds to a growing body of evidence linking gaming features to gambling behavior in minors. It comes at a time of increasing global concern about the effects of loot boxes and skin betting.

Earlier this year, the UK Government launched an investigation into skins gambling and recommended stricter rules to protect young players from gambling-related harm. Norwegian authorities are now expected to use these new findings to guide national discussions on stronger digital gaming regulations aimed at protecting minors.