Arpej study warns of gambling risks in hybrid video games for minors

A study conducted by the Association de recherche et prévention sur les excès des jeux (Arpej) in partnership with the Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) warns that the convergence of video games and gambling is driving risky behavior among minors.

Surveying 5,000 adolescents aged 15 to 17 in 2025, the research found that 39% of respondents had played “hybrid digital games” (JNH) in the three months prior to the study. This phenomenon, referred to as “gamblification” or “casinification,” affects 42.4% of boys and 35.4% of girls. Approximately 15.6% of those surveyed reported making financial expenditures related to these games.

These hybrid games include social casinos using virtual currency (such as CrownCoins or McLuck), titles integrating gambling elements (such as Grand Theft Auto), loot box mechanics (such as FC Ultimate Team or Genshin Impact), and virtual sports betting (such as Mon Petit Gazon or Fungiball).

Researchers expressed concern regarding a “gateway effect,” noting that two-thirds of underage players reported practicing JNH—specifically casino-style hybrid games—before engaging in real-money gambling. The study also highlighted that 68.9% of adolescents reported exposure to gambling advertisements on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.