Prediction of problem gambling by demographics, gaming behavior and psychological correlates among gacha gamers: A cross-sectional online survey in Chinese young adults

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to explore the association of problem gambling with demographics, psychological distress, and gaming behavior in young adult gacha gamers in Hong Kong.Materials and methodsCross-sectional data was collected in the first and fifth waves of COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong online. Participants who aged 18–25 years and had been playing gacha games over the past 12 months were recruited. Stepwise multiple regression was used to explore the association among risk of problem gambling, gaming behavior, participation in gaming activities and psychological distress. A two-sided p-value <0.05 was considered as statistical significance.ResultsThree hundred and thirty-seven completed questionnaires were received with no missing data. 34.7% (n = 117) of the participants had non/low-risk of problem gambling. About 40% (n = 136) of them had moderate-risk and the remaining 25% (n = 84) were at high risk of problem gambling. A higher proportion of female participants (78.6%) were found in high-risk group as compared to 39.7% and 55.6% only in the non/low-risk and moderate-risk groups, respectively. The regression model (R2 = 0.513, F = 71.895, p < 0.001) showed that 51.3% of the variance of the total problem gambling score could be explained by stress, anxiety, monthly expenses on gacha purchases, number of motives for gacha purchase and number of gambling activities engaged.ConclusionThe present study provides empirical evidence to support the association between problem gambling and microtransaction especially for gacha which is the most popular type of video game microtransaction in Asia. The established regression model suggests that gacha gamers with higher risk of problem gambling tend to have greater stress, higher anxiety level, spend more on gacha purchase, have more motives for gacha purchases and engage in more gambling activities. In contrast to the extant literature, higher proportion of female participants in high-risk group indicates that female gacha gamers are also at very high risk of becoming problem gamblers.

Association between problematic Internet use and specific Internet activities and COVID-19- and earthquake-related stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among Croatian young adults

“…The odds for such behavior increased several-fold in comparison with the period before the pandemic and earthquakes. These findings are similar to those already reported for PIU during the pandemic among young adults ( 39 , 59 , 60 ) and after earthquakes among students ( 56 ), as well as among adults during pandemic ( 31 , 32 ), among adults during pandemic and earthquakes ( 64 ), and after the Wenchuan earthquake among adolescents ( 58 ) or Italian students 2 years after the L’Aquila earthquake ( 56 ). Social online networks during natural disasters are important for maintaining interpersonal relationships, communication, education, and work-related obligations.…”

“…PIU or specific Internet activities during the COVID-19 pandemic or earthquakes among young adults ( 39 , 59–61 ), adolescents ( 57 , 58 ) and students ( 41 , 53 , 57 , 62 , 63 ) have already piqued researchers’ interest. The transition to adulthood can be a vulnerable period, particularly in young adults aged 18–25 years who experienced traumatic events.…”

“…Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, it was assumed that the ability to gamble directly from home would increase the rate of problem gambling (25). A review articles found that, contrary to the expectations, gambling behavior often decreased or remained the same for most gamblers during the pandemic, and the only increase in gambling behavior was associated with problem gambling (37,38). Problem gambling among gacha gamers in Chinese young adults was associated with greater stress and higher anxiety level, with higher proportion of female participants in high-risk group of becoming problem gamblers (39).…”

inmersión infantil en el consumismo tecnológico mediante los videojuegos Gacha

“…El juego se ve sobretodo como una diversión emocionante, aunque la dificultad para distinguir entre los conceptos de suerte, destino, azar y probabilidad, así como la familiaridad con videojuegos y otros juegos de ordenador hace que los menores se conviertan en menores vulnerables frente a los juegos de azar online. Cuando los menores están expuestos a estas mecánicas de juegos de azar empiezan a desarrollar habilidades propias de apostadores (Tang et al, 2022.). Además, los menores presentan una gran facilidad para añadir dinero real a sus cuentas virtuales, pues existen diferentes formas de eludir el uso directo de tarjetas de crédito, pues los smartphones permiten realizar pagos mediante pasarelas como Amazon, Paypal, u otras plataformas específicas.…”