Gamblification: Risks of digital gambling games to adolescents

Gamblification is the insertion of gambling mechanics into digital entertainment activities, including video games. Although the distinction between gambling, game playing, and consumer purchasing has traditionally been clear cut, diverse and new digital products increasingly blur these lines. Many products have strong gambling components that might not be perceived as such by adolescents—eg, virtual casinos and computer games with randomised rewards. Is such gamblification exposing a generation of adolescents to heightened risks of harm?