An annual survey from the UK’s Gambling Commission has found that over 1 in 10 British children aged between 11 to 16 have participated in some form of game-related gambling.
The Commission posted its findings earlier today, and revealed that 11 percent of those surveyed have personally participated in “skin gambling” — which sees people bet and wager in-game items like weapon skins.
11 percent also claimed to have played gambling-style social games, with the majority accessing them through smartphones and tablet apps.
The survey was based on a sample of 2,881 children aged 11 to 16, with respondents being quizzed between February 6 and May 17, 2017.
The majority (64 percent) of those who admitted to gambling (not just on games) said they had spent around £5 or less on the pastime in the last week.
However, a minority claimed to have spent significantly more, with 8 percent claiming to have spent over £40.
The survey also indicated art 0.9 percent of 11 to 16 year olds can be classed as “problem gamblers,” and that the problem gambling rate among those surveyed is similar to the rates among adults.
While the findings are admittedly based on a relatively small sample size, they’re undeniably interesting, especially when you consider the recent controversies and debates surrounding the rise of loot boxes and gambling in video games.
For more information, be sure to check out the full report over on the Gambling Commission’s website (PDF).
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2017