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Online gaming has become a global phenomenon, drawing players into immersive virtual worlds.

Within gaming, the rise of loot boxes has generated debate, particularly concerning their similarities with gambling.

This blog post provides an overview on loot boxes within online gaming, the potential harms they share with gambling, and how you can safely and responsibly continue to enjoy gaming.

What are loot boxes in games?

A loot box is a virtual container that players can purchase or earn in online gaming.

Trauma can have profound and long-lasting effects on a person’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

Painful memories and negative emotions may linger in the aftermath, leading to possible mental health issues such as depression, PTSD, or anxiety.

Some people use gambling to escape from the stress and emotional pain caused by their trauma. While gambling might offer temporary distraction and relief, people who have experienced trauma are at a higher risk and vulnerability of gambling harm.

We all have habits we’ve created in our lives – good or bad – and changing our habits can feel overwhelming.

Have you ever tried to change your gambling habits when you felt motivated, but it didn’t seem to work in the long run?

Maybe you’re worried you spend too much time and money on gambling, and you’ve reached a point where you’re ready to take control of your gambling habits.

If this sounds like you, understanding how habits are formed and how to build healthy habits can help guide you on the right track towards safer gambling.

Are you worried about your partner’s gambling?

You might feel like they’re gambling too much, or maybe their gambling has started to impact your relationship.

The signs of gambling harm aren’t always obvious because gambling can be easier to hide than alcohol and drug use, for example.

It can be hard to know whether someone’s gambling has become an issue for them, especially if they’re trying to hide the extent of their gambling from you and others.