Denmark to research links between video gaming and gambling
Denmark’s Gaming Authority (Spillemyndigheden) has linked up with VIVE, the country’s National Research and Analysis Centre for Welfare, to carry out a new study into the relationship between young people and gambling.
Denmark’s Gaming Authority (Spillemyndigheden) has linked up with VIVE, the country’s National Research and Analysis Centre for Welfare, to carry out a new study into minors' exposure to gambling mechanics through video games.
The new project, which forms part of a longer-term initiative to tackle problem gambling in Denmark, will investigate the role of gambling in relation to young people playing computer games.
Spillemyndigheden and VIVE will focus on online games in particular, looking at how children and young people are exposed to gambling-related elements in these titles.
In particular it will examine how gambling-style mechanics impact on the gameplay experience, and whether this exposure affects everyday life for young people. It will also look at paid elements of online games - ie purchasing items such as loot boxes or in-game items - and how this impacts gameplay.
Spillemyndigheden and VIVE will interview children and young people between the ages of 13 and 19 as part of the project, as well as speak with a sub-group of young adults aged 20 to 25 who have experienced serious gaming or gambling problems.
The project is set for completion on spring of 2021, with Spillemyndigheden and VIVE aiming to produce a conclusive report, as well as several scientific articles based on the findings.
The research project is the third major announcement from Spillemyndigheden this week, with the regulator having also updated its technical and reporting requirements for online gambling licensees, requiring self-exclusion checks before push notifications and creating a new reporting category for virtuals.
Spillemyndigheden yesterday (June 25) also urged licensed gambling operators to prepare for changes to the country’s national identification scheme, with a new system set to replace NemID next year.
MitID is due to launch in May 2021 to replace NemID, the online verification solution used by almost all Danish citizens to log into online banking accounts; communicate with public authorities; and prove their identity for digital services such as online gambling.