Campaign in Denmark Raises Awareness of Gambling Mechanics in Video Games

The Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) has unveiled a new campaign that raises awareness of gambling-like elements in video games. The campaign’s goal is to encourage parents to talk about games of chance with their kids and teach them about the dangers of gambling. Video Games Can Turn Children’s Rooms into Casinos, the Regulator Says In its official announcement, Spillemyndigheden confirmed that the campaign launches on October 26. Called “Casino in the Children’s Room” (Kasino på børneværelset), this new campaign seeks to raise awareness of gambling-like mechanics in video games. While video games are a huge industry that is enjoyed safely by millions of kids and adults, the evolution of the video gaming sector has led to the adoption of certain mechanics that mirror gambling. Some of the most popular and controversial forms of such content include loot boxes and “gatcha” mechanics, although some games can also involve gambling-like elements that do not involve paying real money. In any case, Spillemyndigheden’s goal is to raise awareness of the existence of such elements in video games among parents and encourage them to talk with their kids about gambling and its risks. As part of the campaign, Spillemyndigheden has launched a new TV ad that features a father who enters his kid’s room only to see that it has turned into a casino full of gambling machines. The campaign will also be promoted across social media. Parents Should Be Wary of the Types of Games Kids Play The Casino in the Children’s Room campaign will direct people to the StyrPåSpillet.dk platform, which contains plenty of information about gambling elements in video games and how they can lead to potential addiction. At the same time, the platform has materials for parents and educators that provide tips on how to approach the subject when talking to kids and young people. Anders Dorph, director of Spillemyndigheden, commented on the campaign’s launch, saying that understanding the kind of content that games include is just as important as managing kids’ screen time. The debate regarding children and digital media often centers on screen time. However, it is equally important to take an interest in the content of the games and the mechanisms children encounter while gaming. Anders Dorph, director, Spillemyndigheden As part of the campaign, Spillemyndigheden has also decorated three storefronts with a “Casino Kids” banner. While the actual venues are not, in fact, casinos for kids, the provocative messaging seeks to raise awareness of the issue at hand.