Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Hidden Way Games Are Training Kids to Gamble
Mar 25, 2026
· 14m
<p>What if your child is learning to gamble… without ever placing a bet?</p> <p>From loot boxes to “harmless” game rewards, today’s episode exposes the subtle systems inside kids’ games that are shaping how they think about money, risk, and reward.</p> <p>New research shows a clear pattern: exposure leads to normalisation—and normalisation leads to real gambling.</p> <p>If your child plays games, this isn’t optional listening.</p> <p><strong>KEY POINTS</strong></p> <ul> <li aria-level="1">75% of kids (10–17) are exposed to gambling-like features in games</li> <li …