Topic: What's the difference between gambling addiction from casinos and loot boxes? (Read 508 times)

Though, you are missing two important points about loot-boxes:
1. They are mostly cosmetic, it does not matter how many boxes one person has opened already, they will have no meaningful advantage over other players. The value of the objects and the rewards inside of those boxes are purely speculative and comes from artificial scarcity (created by the game designers thenselves). So there are no chances someone with many loot-boxes will have more chances to beat others, it is all about bragging.

2.Content is being created constantly, those who are behind the development of games which have loot boxes make sure there is always more content and rewards to be claimed by their player base, so it becomes almost impossible someone will have all rewards at the same time by opening hundreds or even thousands of loot boxes. The system of gacha games and loot is actually based on the premise there will be always new reasons for players to go through micro transactions and they will never have 100% of the content available for them unless they pay for it and "gamble".

I found an article by Forbes which touches this issue and how children could be introduced to gambling without their parents realizing it.

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonwosborne/2023/05/25/how-loot-boxes-in-childrens-video-games-encourage-gambling/

Hmmm, that's a good point. I thought no one would ever mention "loot boxes" again after reading some of the replies.

It can be earned. I never thought of that but watching streamers play, yes, I saw they can earn it and some are even gifting these so-called loot boxes. So, someone can also be a beggar and plead to be given especially by streamers who are actually doing it as long as they are subscribers.
I think both are expensive but players who buy loot boxes will come to a point where they will get everything and there's no need to spend money anymore but just to play the game as a superpowered avatar.
In gambling, that's not the case. It's a never-ending game where we will keep on spending up to the point that we will have nothing left and even our savings is gone. That's the big difference.

In the loot boxes as far as I know others a percentage of chances you can get an item depends on the number do you have, like in Dota 2 once you bought a lot of treasures there's a the higher chance for the next boxes you will get the high rewards, of course most of these has a value so it seems like the same with gambling with the skins but the difference is its a skin in the game and gamers sees this as full of entertainment they didn't care at all how much they spend as long as they got the item they want or have a high rare value, in slot games people urge to earn more with the number of rolls they have reason why the game or gambling can be treated depends on the persons perspective if its for entertainment or for earning of money.

My child uses that donate system to buy skins and game currency or lives. I am talking about Candy Crash game and Roblox. I see nothing bad from such kind of donations. It gives a little different game experience, allows not to look similar to other user and their avatars. But there are games where you pay to spin wheel and open box, get skin or bonus - I think that such in-game purchases are total gambling. And they are way more addictive than regular gambling, because these cases dont cost much and it is hard for children to realize how much they are spending.

I mean you can still just turn gambling into a game. The money involved is say, something similar to what you'd use to buy said DLCs and skins similar to games. That's why gambling isn't really wrong imo. It at the end of the day falls on people being addicted. You can get addicted to lootboxes, and you can get to gambling. The only difference imo is that most people CAN afford to be addicted to games, since there's a roof. A ceiling of sorts in terms of expenditure. And also a variety, which also exists as one. In gambling? That doesn't exist. That doesn't mean the former is better though. Any type of addiction imo is bad and should 100% be addressed.

A game of chance is an activity which depend on luck or randomness. So when we use fake money to play that game of chance, we need to know that we can curious how it feels when we use real money. So that will attract us to keep playing gambling and deposit because we are curious with the result and we want to feel how if we can win the money. Maybe there will be differences between loot boxes in on place and other places. So that is normal if we see that because they have something that will attract more people to play the games.

For me the biggest cause of addiction is the loss of money, because most people who gamble the most are from the lower or middle class and a few from the upper class, which means that if a person from the lower or middle class loses a lot, they want to recover their lost money and they see no other option than the casino, and this is a very bad thing.

Whatever the options, for me the biggest Danger of Addiction is that , the money factor , and obviously these things are the ones that would have repercussions in every Sense.

Someone who is addicted to gambling will be more daring to do anything as long as what he wants can be fulfilled even though it is a big risk for himself but most likely he will still do it, for example with someone who is already addicted to gambling when he gambles and experiences defeat as well as his condition that no longer has funds or capital then he can do anything to complete the desire to gamble that still exists in him, such as borrowing money from other people or official parties and worse he can commit crimes such as stealing which harms others.
I do not find any positive side of ourselves who are addicted because it only allows us to experience the destruction of life in many aspects, be it finances, health, relationships or others.

In some cases, it doesn't even last that long... Maybe in the case of a special ammunition that can aid the massive destruction of a special character/adversary in some rounds, you may be requested upon to buy more on arrival...
Overwhelmed with the bouts and adventures in the game, you may not even realize how much you've spent until when you've decided to call it a quit for the day.

I don't think it does hit as hard as casino games (especially since they're not expecting something very fungible) but this time, as long as money leaves your pockets, it's definitely what it is -- gambling!

I disagree with you because a game of chance is an activity in which the outcome largely depends on luck or randomness, rather than the player's skill, strategy, or knowledge. While many traditional games of chance involve betting money, it is also possible to enjoy such games without involving real money, which can still lead to addiction. I believe the key point is that loot boxes still lack studies and regulations in most countries.

The thing is that you can't compare something which is someone's hobby with gambling. Gambling isn't a hobby, games it is. For example, some people like cars and they put in a ton of money that they never get back. Do they do it to earn more money? No. They are addicted to their hobby/ passion? Yes.
People who are passionate about a game don't care to earn money out of it, even if in some cases they can. Getting the latest DLC, skin, weapon, pet, etc loot or payable cosmetics/ abilities for their favorite game is their reward.

Both are actually detrimental to your hard-earned money. So need to realy be cautious on how you handle your funds into this addictive activity.

Practically there's zero difference and it's crazy that the biggest gaming platforms like Steam, is still allowed to have loot boxes in spite of all the limitation placed in gambling.

Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Netflix are also complicit in this due to apps in their stores that kids can access freely. Even the free lootboxes set up someone for addiction. And it's something that has real harmful effects when you look into what has happened time and time again with counter strike skin gambling. Children lose so much money, gangs develop from online activity, money laundering... It's crazy.

I wish lootboxes would be the subject of a crackdown sooner or later. At least when a user doesn't want or can't verify their adulthood they should have access to chance based games in any platform or game. Even if the chance doesn't involve money, if there's digital currency involved it can be harmful. Let alone when there's money. Better stay away imo and if you have kids better keep them away.

it’s definitely not 100% i can tell you that i don’t even think you win half of what you bet on in general that is how little the odds can play in your favor in gambling but still it is addictive
well addiction can be blamed on the chemicals in our brain that keep on craving for whatever activity you are doing to stimulate the brain and earning money surely stimulates the brain and makes us happy

Note in gambling you can't win 100% all the time and at that, we should be clear on what we are saying because what makes casino addiction more pronounced is because of the losses that come with it and how gambler handles the financial implications of such addiction and it prevailing impact on the general well being of the gambler.


So whatever it is addiction is addiction and its impact as far as finances and mental implications os concerned it's almost the same let's not make mistakes gambling is a game of luck and chances so we should treat it as such no way to win 100% of the time.

Money has never always been the contributory factor to causing an addiction, simply because we have drug, alcohol and sex addictions, which are not monetary stimulated just as it is in the urge in gambling addiction, or rather not monetary dependent (i.e Money is not it's primary cause). Because there are different factors that causes addictions, such as biological factor, such as when an activity triggers the release of dopamine "feel-good hormone". It makes the individual want to continue. While the second is Psychological Factor, whereby when an individual is stress, they may seek for substance or activity which gives them joy, and if they are opportuned to find one through alcohol or drug, they may tend to stay addicted to such. Hence, making money not the only stimulating factor for addiction.

The main difference that I see is the fact that loot boxes can be earned by playing, some games gives this loot as prizes to the good users, and that way users can "Gamble" without buying them. But in casinos is different, as they ised to say "No money no honey", is al most imposible to get balance without placing deposits. Thats why the loots are different than casino gambling.

But in the end both can have a happy end of some extra buck on the wallet.

There are entire games and ecosystems which are free to play and all revenue from such a game come from the purchase of skins and cosmetics by players, actually. The lastest example is marvels Rivals, it is a free to play game which offers the option to buy skins for your favorite heroes.
If one likes the game and one is committed to it, one could easily spend more than the expected price of the game as if it was launched at full price (which is around 80$).
Companies which do not want to be labeled like gambling-encouraging ones do not offer loot-boxes, they rather allow their players to pay for what they want, and eliminate all reminiscent of randomness from the purchase of skins and cosmetics. If you want to see Captain America wearing a WW II outfit, you pay 12$ for it ones and that's all, instead of paying for 100 boxes in order to have a minimum of a chance to get what you want to wear.

Gacha games continue to be compared to gambling, though, it is basically the same as loot-boxes, perhaps even more predatory.

Agreed, addiction in gambling or gaming are all the same because you'll be losing money in both of them. An individual that spends money gaming is going to have the same side effects as someone that's always gambling. While the gamer is looking for satisfactory for his desires in playing the game, the gambling is looking for money from the bets he takes.

Victims in both situations can get disoriented from being addicted to what they're doing and that gives ways for other disadvantages to come because gambling addiction doesn't come along, after noticing you're addicted to something, you can start noticing other bad characters that you'll begin to develop too without plans for them. You'll be less discipline with your money and begin to have poor habits towards money because you're not using it correctly.

It's the same if the reward is higher than what you stake.

In the countries where gambling is illegal, loot boxes is actually legal even though it doesn't make sense. Just because it's mainly a game can be played without money, not directly stake in fiat/crypto, and the prize not in fiat/crypto, it's not make it not a gambling.

If they played many games with micro transactions, there's a chance they might spend the same amount like gambling addicts or even higher.

good topic for discussion. I know such people who systematically donate to games and buy various boxes to get skins, they look very harmless and I would not say that the amounts that they spend on video games are large and I would rather not compare this with gambling addiction, if the first type of player is more likely to simply be disappointed that he does not get the desired item for a long time, then the second type of player who is gambling will try to compensate for the losses by receiving even greater losses.

It both loss of money and collateral damage for my perspective 

What's the difference between gambling addiction from casinos and loot boxes?

If you are addicted to buying a loot boxes and want to find the Item do you want then congratulation you are just same as addicted to gambling hahah this is purely my opinion tho But hey Buy a loot boxes with real money it just like you play a lost the only different here is you win a game item in the loot boxes and you win the money in a slot.

But if you buy the loot game with fake money or in game money then I would say I don't consider that as gambling

Of course the loss of money is a collateral damage because money is a distictinctive factor here that is required to aid the gambling process and mostly when gamblers gamble and generate losses they see it as failed entity for them and thus money have been the stimulating factor that fuels addictions and this is why people tend to gamble to earn money and if they get a loss it's sure a huge damage to them, so differentiating with loot boxes I think they are less addictive compared to being addicted to gambling.

These things in games do not add up to amounts that an addicted gambler adds up to during their 2-3years of gambling spree.

Gaming addiction is a different topic altogether and it is a proper diagnosis that needs treatment.

So I dont think lootboxes or purchasable content from games are an addiction. They make the player look like some VIP and stand out, which indicates the narcissistic mentality we all have.

That said, I hate microtransactions and would do anything to go back to the era where they did not exist.

In my opinion loot boxes have limited risk because to buy loot box you spend for example 3 dollars and that is all money you spend. For gambling it is hard for person to limit itself for certain amount of money, specially because there is possibility to win some financial gains.

In gambling there is risk of thinking that one can return his losses by gambling more. So if he loses the money he intended to gamble, he can think "Ill bet my food money to return losses and stop immediately". That is very bad gambling addiction.

As for loot boxes I never heard of person who spent food money for loot box stickers or colourful clothing.

Gambling is very different because of the huge risk involved. If you're betting on different platforms without limits, you're likely to lose a lot of money. 

With loot boxes, on the other hand, you’ll probably just get bored over time once you realize they’re designed to fool buyers. Gambling feels different because we see it as a challenge, and we think we have the skills to win. The moment you believe it's about skill rather than luck, that’s when you start gambling consistently.

My child has friends who are crazy about playing counter strike, trade game skins and open loot boxes to get new skins. I was surprised that they can even use game skins to pay for some services online or digital items. What these children are really in dangerous situation, because they are playing the game a lot of time, and try to earn through those loot boxes. It is like double addiction. Such combination steals a lot of their free time and time they must be spending to study.

Gambling and loot boxes are very similar in their impact on the player. When playing loot boxes and roulette, the same parts of the player's brain are involved.

I know this for sure, because at one time I used computer games to reduce my gambling addiction to roulette. Gambling is easily replaced by computer games (video games, loot boxes).

In my opinion, it is advisable to play computer games that do not involve purchasing game items. Unfortunately, such computer games are becoming less and less common now.

Video game and computer game developers only think about their profits, and not about the mental health of the player.

Addiction to gaming, as well as gambling is not really about the money being spent on the games, but more about the mind that have gotten used to either the gaming and gambling, so, I would say that the loss of money in either gaming or gambling due to addiction is nothing but collateral damage.

The real loss in the life of the player is his or her mind/brain which he or she has lost control over, this is what he or she is going to struggle very hard to gain control over again, and then the loss of money can then be controled as well.

Addiction to both gaming and gambling as almost like the same, it's like a two broad roads from different directions that lead to the same destination, that is, addiction to gaming and gambling both destroys the mind/brain, and causes the collateral damage which is the loss of money that should have been used for other important things in the victim's life.

Loot boxes offers an item which you can use in the game and at the same time sell it for money if you are already done using it. On the other hand, gambling use money to get the entertainment which doesn’t have an option to get back what you spend if you lose your money.

However, Gambling offers profit while loot boxes typically offers less value compared to what you spend in case you will sold the items.

I believe gambling is more addicting due to the goal of earning profit each bet while loot boxes goal is to enjoy the game.

Come to think of it, when you're addicted to money, you chase money, right. But in the case of people who fell into, like gambling addiction, drugs, or any form of addiction, they weren't chasing money. They chased pleasure. So, this thing with addiction comes from pleasure or whatever reason someone holds on to a habit till it becomes an obsession.

In gambling, you might be obsessed with winning that you start chasing loss, so you end up chasing losses, thereby shifting into addiction. Also, someone might want to forget about a trauma, and getting into drugs or excessive gambling is like a getaway for them not even about making money.

Like in the case of some video games you pay to upgrade and only rank higher as you go into the game. Now, someone will use their money to buy all the stuff they need to rank not minding if they get their money back. So, you can see people going for pleasure and relaxation because if money stimulates addiction, then a lot of us should be crazy over money, than spending money to buy things.

As far as I know, the most profitable apps on Google Play are those that support microtransactions, with in-app purchases. I mean that all people love small in-game purchases, and if there is a chance that a player will make money on this, he can become so involved in it that he will try to pull an expensive thing out of chests all day and night to turn it into earnings. But only one out of hundreds will be lucky, the rest will lose money on this, just like in gambling.

Basically, this loot box or some other types of gacha are a new way of gambling, because there is a value that is exchanged for an item in the game. And I don't see any difference between casino gambling addiction and lootbox or gacha. I have a friend who is willing to spend a lot of money to get gacha items in the game, and this seems like an addiction because I think it's excessive when spending a lot of money just for in-game, I don't really know if he will exchange it for real money, but this is also risky because as far as I know almost all games do not allow their users to exchange anything in the game for real money, and if caught then it can make him lose everything.

And I found that the gacha game has been widely criticized for being addictive :

- Criticalhit - Gacha Addiction
- Wikipedia - Gacha Game
- Dinus - The Analysis of Gacha Game Addiction on the Players'

The only difference would be the thing that we're exchanging it with I guess? In gambling, we exchange money for more chances of money. In loot boxes for those who at least aim to win money, it's just doing it but with more steps lol. And for those who aren't, well it's just for fun. It's a really dumb law made since lootboxes are technically NOT gambling because of the fact that you purchase them with a "virtual currency" of which you buy using, surprise, REAL money. Dumb ass law. 

And yes, I'd still consider loot boxes as a possible source of addiction. Who says money is the only thing a person can be addicted with? Most of these loot boxes are designed to make people addicted to them anyway.

It's quite different from the real gambling addiction. First, addiction can actually come from anything that one lacks control about, for example, when people get addicted to drugs, they spend their money on drugs until it destroys their life, unless they get saved by their loved ones.

Such addicted will actually result to lose of money and just like the loot boxes, if you are addicted or obsessed with the game, you will definitely waste you money to buy those tools and you wouldn't get any reward apart from the fun you had when playing the games.

There is a line between any psychological activities. Gambling has a clear line of games for money, and rewards in games like epic swords or pistols are something completely different. Before loot boxes, these were just rewards with a small luck factor, but exclusively for fun, not for money. So when something in between was invented - namely loot boxes, then all this began to resemble gambling. Anyone can lose all their money trying to get a rare and expensive thing from the game, and hopes that it will drop now and it can be sold while receiving real earnings. Therefore, loot boxes are an unambiguous, implicit section of gambling. And it is dangerous, because not everywhere it is recognized as such.

Good question OP. For me loot boxes are true gambling and they, they are more dangerous and more addicted. Dangerous, because openly nobody claim they are similar to gambling and that is why parents or children dont fully understand that they are gambling, when they only opening boxes and test luck. Dangerous they are also, because it is impossible to check if they are fair. Dont know who is controlling them. They are more addicted, because when you gamble for money, you can at least measure somehow how much you bet, win, lose or deposit. I dont understand how can something be measured with boxes, when they have different values. Also it does not really matter much for children if you open a box or two. That is still like a game, like getting a toy from kinder surprise for them.

Money or something that has value.

This will be the main reason on why people would really be involving up things on which this isnt really just that limited on  gambling alone or any other but also in other things as well. Speaking about loot boxes then this will really be that addictive too, the good thing about here is that you do able to get something out of the money you have spend or bought with those boxes on which unlike on gambling that you will totally that blown up on the money that you had put up on which you cant really be able to say that it is really that totally the same to each other. This is why its really that important that you do stick into the things on what you are really that wanting to deal with because usually these loot boxes will be pertaining about games  or any related on which theres a specific genre or industry.

The thing here is about any addiction will really be that always been bad because this has been caused by excessive engagement on which you arent that minding about limitation on which spending up money into something wont be bad as long you are really that responsible but it turned out that because of non good approach or actions being done and this is why they do end up miserable and we do know that regrets do always come at the end.

Gacha games, MMORPG, and more are highly addictive too and I have seen many people spend a lot of money on them. Let's just use the very popular Roblox where even kids are now spending their money to buy avatars and other features of the game so that they can advance faster. How many hours does a kid spend with that game just to showcase his ability and skin? Many hours. I think that's addiction too.

When it comes to gambling, losing money is a big factor in addiction because it can fuel the ego of a person who doesn't like losing. He will keep on coming back for revenge and wanting to get his money back as if he was cheated.

Any form of addiction is not good whether it’s movie, gaming, gambling and so on. The only difference I see between the loot boxes in games and casinos is that while casinos possess the most risk to financial stability both of them affect your time.

At first you might be making money from those loot boxes but if you’re not careful with your addiction or control yourself you’ll only end up losing to it eventually. I have seen lots of people who started of by hunting for rare items in games but eventually got bored of it and now they are the ones using money to upgrade their accounts and buy the items and that’s just one of the disadvantages both casino and gaming addiction have.

Money is still the motivating factor for any gambler, addicted or not to play, although others might argue that they can also play and have some fun and be entertain, still at the end of the day, we don't want to lose our money just like that. For the loot boxes and their comparison to gambling, if they can traded that for real money then it's gambling, no question about it. But can they be called addiction? I'm not really sure about it, as their motivation is money, but it doesn't mean that they are addict.

And as others have describe with more experience with those kind of video games, their motivation could be different, or again, as I have said, they could not be categorically describe as addicts as they just play the game and have the thrill.

The only difference is that in those games that you need to farm loot boxes you buy the objects with money and you own them in the game forever while in gambling you have 0 warranties that you will get something out of it. So in gambling you may lose all your money and get nothing in return while in normal games where you buy items you are using money to get something in return for sure. So the conclusion is that the addiction of gambling is far more worse than addiction in games where you farm items.

If money is involved here, then definitely it's gambling already. I'm not sure though if there are players that are turning into an addict in loot boxes? I'm not familiar with it since I don't play that kind of games.

But as I have said, even the small amount of money that is involved, then there is also a element of gambling there.

Although gambling addicts could really be different as they look for adrenaline rush when they play and targets more rewards as compare to loot boxes, as least that how I see it.

By the definition of collateral damage, the loss of money in gambling or other stated activities is not collateral damage but the result of our actions/hobbies. However, addiction is inevitable if do not show restraints, which is why discipline is key here. Even collecting loans, as easy and harmless as you think could be addictive if care is not taken. This goes for many unsuspecting activities we do daily, which includes those that do not relate to money. So it shouldn't come as a surprise if one is addicted to Loot boxes or gambling, this is why caution is always advised.

I see a lot of similarities with gambling and loot boxes. The elements of unexpected prizes work as a lure for players; it seems very funny, but besides this, the desire to get as many loot boxes as possible has created an addiction in some players. We all become "addicts" to some extent from getting dopamine on the Internet in one way or another. It is not for nothing that in some countries, governments recognize loot boxes as gambling and begin to regulate them to protect minors from getting addicted to such games. Wherever people get dopamine, addiction can occur, and sometimes monetary motivations do not take first place.

If the items from loot boxes have a tradeable value that can be exchanged for fiat currency (CSGO), it is essentially gambling. However, if the items cannot be traded (Call of Duty), then in my opinion, it does not constitute gambling.

We need to make it clear.

If the reward of gacha games is higher than amount you stake and you can get it multiple times, it's gambling because someone is trying to get higher reward and sell it.

If the reward of gacha games is higher than amount you stake and you can only get for one time (can't be gifted), it's not gambling because after you get it, it's done. You can't gift it to other user (sell) and you will be reckless in order to get as many as you can.

It is literally an accidental destruction which when addicted in gambling, it does not only affects your bankrolls but also psychologically effective.

It could also linger to the point of victims relationship and families tussles whereas, you will not be responsibly in control of yourself with negligence of things that necessarily matters.

Infact, it posseses the collateral damages to lost of money could end victims up to street touting.
With the possibilities of no lost in gambling will therefore limited gamblers negative effects even though they are addicted.

So lost of money is what determines the response of gamblers.

There is an addiction to gambling and there is simply an addiction, for example, to MMORPG online games Play-2-Pay, in which money is only spent and cannot be won, unlike gambling. So, in the emergence of addiction as such, money is not the only factor. We need to understand what P2P players pay for. The main product there is a generalized "virtual vanity", which is satisfied with feelings of imaginary popularity, importance, and virtual high status.
In turn, the player's excitement itself, as a psychological state, plays an important role in the emergence of gambling addiction. By the way, excitement can occur without playing for money. Money sharpens and enhances excitement, like a turbine or an engine compressor.

I'm not sure if they can be compared though, it's a different addiction as far a games as obviously as you have said, there is no monetary benefits. But most likely it's the bragging rights or even becoming a great players as compare to thousands of others who play the game. As compare to gambling itself, which is trying to test our luck with different games in order to win money. And gambling addicts are totally different kind though, it's their behavior and patterns that we can't really understand. Recently we have a thread about a addict you take out his own life after losing big money. I do not hear someone who will do that in some video games trade, or if the trade goes down, or if the players can't play.

As for loot boxes or games in which you can win some virtual items that can then be exchanged for money, then of course these are gambling games. Although such games are not generally called gambling, but in essence they are the same gambling games, just with a slightly more complicated relationship between money and in-game items. For example, some virtual sword or helmet or virtual battle armor are also a gambling factor, because they can be sold for regular fiat money (of course, if they are liquid enough). But many countries have a very loyal attitude towards video games that contain liquid property. There are simply games in which the virtual property has questionable liquidity and it is not entirely clear whether this item can be sold on some external resources without losing value or whether this is impossible.

If I remember correctly, I think in some country in Europe they decided that loot boxes were considered gambling.

It kinda makes sense really, because as you point out, in some cases it is pretty much the same as going to a casino and winning chips.

You are not technically earning money, but you are earning something that can be traded for money, so in a way, it can be seen as gambling.

It's of course an incredibly profitable business, gaming and gambling combined, so I'm sure they are pushing against any kind of regulation of it.

Addiction begins with sense of pleasure and satisfaction without thinking about how much money is spent but for things like buying some loot boxes in video game like MOBA game just for satisfaction in competing for prestige and also adjusting to the assessment of fellow gamers and different from gambling which is overall about the goal of profit and satisfaction in achieving big win.
Basically losing money is not additional damage but the main driver for someone to become an addict, after all without money someone cannot continue what they want.

Gambling has various types so that loot boxes are also included in the gambling category. As long as you risk money to get something that has a higher value or vice versa with the gacha system, it is the same as gambling. The triggering factor for addiction in any case has the same status.

The chance of winning is always there, but the chance of losing is also there all the time. So, while "you can win money 100% of the time", you can also lose money 100% of the time. As a matter of fact, you will lose money 90% of the time, if not higher.

Addiction is not exclusive with the prospect of making money, which is what gambling is mainly about. There are many things that people could be addicted to. As you've mentioned, it could be about loot boxes in online games, or online game itself. I have friends who are hooked on level-up games that they could stand not sleeping at night just to play.

Addiction is about extreme interest, passion, vice, hobby, and the like. It doesn't have to be about money.

By being addicted to loot boxes, maybe the gambler isn't really interested in financial rewards, but in the achievements he can reach inside the game he is playing. He may be addicted to the game, and not gambling itself, so that can be the difference in this case. As consequence, he will spend all his money until finding the items he desire inside those loot boxes, while the casual gambler will be spending money gambling in an attempt to chase losses and have some profit in the end.

Both are serious addictions which shouldn't be neglected, though. These addictions have potential to destroy someone's life, so it's important to stop and treat it as soon as identified by the gambler and by those around him.

Money is a significant factor in gambling, but its influence on the addictiveness of one player or another can vary greatly... both in traditional casinos and in many online gambling games, the potential to win or lose money is the central part of the experience, even though the focus should be solely on entertainment (but I'm tired of trying to convince people of this). So, the possibility of winning money can be a strong motivator to play, but it can also lead to impulsive decisions and significant losses, where losing money can be a factor of stress and regret that is potentially fueled by addiction.

In games with loot boxes, however, I see that the relationship with money is more complex... forgive me if I'm talking nonsense, as I'm not a fan of this type of game, but I see that although the items obtained from loot boxes can be traded for real money, the main motivation for many players is the thrill of opening the boxes and acquiring rare or aesthetic items. Therefore, dependence can arise from the search for these items, regardless of their monetary value, and the loss of money can be a consequence, but not the main stimulating factor.

Personally speaking, I consider loot boxes or any gacha games gambling.

The main reasons are, we still have to pay money to have a GO with them—there is money at stake, essentially— and there is a game of chance. If someone is willing to pay money for a chance, these game items are surely valuable to them.

Money is very much involved, IMO. I mean, gacha games with micro-transactions just hits different from without.

I'd say, loot boxes/gacha game addiction can be as equally damaging in terms of blewing away your money.

For an addict, money will definitely be a stimulating factor because basically that's what they need to gamble, they cant gamble if they don't have the money to gamble,  so the loss of money can actually be regarded as a collateral damage as its the access for which you get the opportunity to gamble on the platform asides which you wouldn't.

I have a guy who is very addicted to COD; if we are to calculate the amount he has spent playing this game aside from the internet subscription, it is above $200, and nothing has been made out of this game. He buys different kinds of weapons and tools just to make him stand out among other enemies; like if he's actively playing this game, nothing can distract him from it; even phone calls are being ignored.

Any form of addiction is bad, be it the one you spend money on or the one you just give too much of your time to; nothing should be overdone.

I understand that with loot boxes in some video games, these items like skins, weapons, tools, among others, can be traded for real money. However, there are others that are equally addictive without any monetary benefit. On the other hand, with casinos, in general, you can win money 100% of the time. Therefore, these cases of addiction are not strictly related to money, but the loss of money would be more of a consequence. So, to what degree is money a stimulating factor in addictions?

Is the loss of money just collateral damage?