are the lines becoming too blurred?
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There is a vast increase in the number of Welsh players of gambling and gaming online. Many are concerned that the lines between gambling, which is heavily regulated in UK, and games, that are more accessible, are becoming blurred.
There are issues with problem gambling but there are also schemes in place to protect users. Most gamblers are aware of potential addiction risks.
New gaming apps with micro-transactions offer similar addiction risks and rewards for the brain as gambling. The boundaries between gambling and gaming are becoming blurred. Pub quiz machines are a form of gambling that can be addictive. In most pubs in Wales, people stand around the quiz machine feeding it coins. It takes a few attempts to win.
Playing a game is not seen as gambling but micro transactions can add up fast. Electronic transactions mean a player loses track of their actual spend.
Are the lines between gambling and mobile gaming becoming blurred? On Disney Magic Kingdom, micro transactions can be as high as £10 just to buy a random character pack. Online gaming shares many of the features which makes gambling so addictive. It's the same ‘I will win this time’ mentality we see in any other area of gambling.
The rewards of gaming stimulate the brain in the same way as gambling. Set a budget and stick to it. If you believe you have an addiction, and need to stop, reach for help.
