‘It doesn’t give off the gambling vibes … It just feels like a part of the game’: Adolescents’ experiences and perceptions of simulated gambling while growing up

This study explores the lived experience of simulated gambling as young people grow up. Qualitative research with 89 Australians aged 12–17 years explored their chronological experiences of simulated gambling and monetary gambling. Reflexive thematic narrative analysis identified common and contrasting themes amongst at-risk/problem gambling, non-problem gambling, and non-gambling participants. As young people grow up, they engage in simulated gambling more frequently, in more diverse settings, and on activities more akin to monetary gambling. Their motivations expand from valuing virtual prizes, to also valuing social benefits and opportunities to learn new gambling games, compete against other players and demonstrate skill. Simulated gambling becomes highly normalised from childhood and before young people realise its potential for gaming and gambling harm. Behavioural associations between simulated gambling and harmful gaming were evident, but those between simulated gambling and harmful monetary gambling were less clear. Restricting youth access to simulated gambling would help protect them from harm.