Who knew that gambling would become such a divisive topic in 2026?
You have probably noticed the growing number of gambling ads on YouTube. Gone are the days when society would collectively dismiss gamblers as degenerates. Today, many adults enjoy the thrill of poker, blackjack, slot machines, etc.
To them, gambling is not a tool for making money, which is why they risk such small amounts. Think of the difference between a person who drinks two beers every other day because they like it, but never get drunk, and someone who drinks till they black out.
One is completely out of control and needs help. The other is merely participating in a recreational activity. They have control over their drinking habits. Gambling is gradually reaching that same level of acceptance.
People don’t bat an eye when an online personality admits to gambling. But is that is a good thing? We have seen two worrying aspects of this trend. The first, and most alarming, is the prevalence of gambling in video games.
Titles such as ‘CS:GO,’ ‘Apex Legends,’ and ‘Overwatch’ offer gamers the opportunity to buy loot boxes using real legal tender. Loot boxes promise special features, costumes, weapons, and the like, but contents of a loot box are a mystery.
You can see how a nine-year-old with access to their parent’s visa card can lose exorbitant amounts every month.
You think he is merely spending a few shillings to buy the game. But once the system has that card on file, he can make additional purchases down the line. Loot boxes are like slot machines.
The contents are random. What do you expect a child to do when they pay for a loot box, and it gives them something they hate? They will keep trying until they get what they want. That means spending more money.
FIFA’s randomized pack cards encourage children to treat video games as a commercial tool, which is why some Western countries have banned loot boxes. Governments have also encouraged parents to keep their children away from video games with gambling mechanics.
Keep in mind that many of those video games are free to download, so don’t assume that merely keeping your visa card away from your child will protect them. Video games with gambling mechanics are dangerous, because they act as a gateway to real-world gambling.
They give children the same thrill as an adult pulling a lever on a slot machine in a casino. Gambling is in the news today because experts have noticed a concerning pattern. These days, you can pretty much gamble on anything.
You probably heard that people took bets on who would win the various awards at the 2026 Oscars. What you may have missed is the news reports of the individuals who won significant sums on the US/Israel/Iran war.
150 accounts predicted that America would strike Iran within 24 hours, and their owners made serious money when what they predicted happened. Most people are seemingly too self- conscious about walking into a casino and trying their hand at some old-school gambling.
But they won’t hesitate to bet on whether Randy Orton will take Cody Rhodes’s title at Wrestlemania. Yes, WWE is not a real sport. Writers determine the winners beforehand. And yet, people still bet on professional wrestling because it feels harmless.
However, if we think children are too young to bet on video games via loot boxes, then maybe adults should think twice about betting on whether Trump will put boots on the ground to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Think about the example it sets for your young ones, not to mention the threat of addiction you keep courting. It is just like beer; every addiction starts with being that person who drinks two beers every other day, but never gets drunk.
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