On Monday, the Danish Gambling Authority, known as Spillemyndigheden, launched a public awareness campaign aimed at educating parents about gambling-like elements found in video games for children. Named "Casino in the Children’s Room," the initiative seeks to shift conversations regarding youth digital habits from just screen time to the actual content and mechanics within these games.
Many widely played children’s games incorporate features similar to traditional gambling, such as loot boxes, random rewards, and in-game purchases. Anders Dorph, the director of the Danish Gambling Authority, pointed out that while discussions often focus on how much time children spend on gaming, it is crucial to consider the psychological effects of these reward systems.
"The debate about children and digital media is often about screen time. But it is also important to take an interest in the content of the games and the mechanisms that children encounter when they game," Dorph stated.
As part of the campaign, a short film has been created that transforms a child’s bedroom into a casino, demonstrating how gambling themes and reward methods are embedded in games aimed at younger audiences. Additionally, the Authority is promoting StyrPåSpillet.dk, a knowledge platform offering extensive information about gaming, the gambling elements in games, risks associated with gambling addiction, and guidance on how to engage constructively with children about their gaming habits.
To enhance visibility, the regulator has installed three temporary facades styled as casinos in prominent locations: Bruuns Galleri in Aarhus, Vestergade in Odense, and Købmagergade in Copenhagen. Dubbed "Casino Kids," these displays are designed to encourage parents and bystanders to consider whether the games their children play include elements that mimic gambling.
Denmark is not the first to address the dangers of gambling-like features in games played by minors. A report last year from the Swedish gambling authority, Spelinspektionen, revealed a connection between underage gaming and problematic gambling behaviors in young adults. The findings indicated that individuals who purchased loot boxes as minors were more likely to exhibit risky gambling behaviors later in life; notably, 87% of those who bought loot boxes before turning 15 showed problematic gambling tendencies as adults.
This campaign coincides with the Danish government’s decision to reintroduce a bill originally proposed in October 2025, which focuses on regulating gambling advertisements aimed at minors. The proposed reforms would prohibit featuring anyone under 25 in gambling ads and ban the promotion of gambling during live sports events. The industry has reacted strongly to this package of reforms, with Morten Rønde, managing partner at Nordic Legal, expressing his shock at the proposals.
