Projects

The lines between gaming and gambling are becoming increasingly blurred in (online) games that are popular among teenagers which rises the societal concern that minors are being progressively exposed to gambling. Games that include non-monetary forms of gambling (simulated gambling) such as free casino games as well as in-app purchases of so-called loot boxes or packages operate in a grey zone due to the lack of ...

The lines between gaming and gambling are becoming increasingly blurred in (online) games that
are popular among teenagers which rises the societal concern that minors are being progressively
exposed to gambling. Games that include non-monetary forms of gambling (simulated gambling)
such as free casino games as well as in-app purchases of so-called loot boxes or packages operate
in a grey zone due to the lack of an obligatory ...

The Gam(e)(a)ble project starts from the observation that the lines between gaming and gambling are becoming increasingly blurred in (online) games that are popular among teenagers. This observation raises the societal concern that minors are being progressively exposed to gambling. Games that include non-monetary forms of gambling (simulated gambling) such as free casino games as well as in-app purchases of so-called loot boxes or packages ...

Gambling as a leisure activity is becoming increasingly popular. However, a substantial number of people run the risk of becoming addicted to gambling, which has not only been associated with financial problems, but also with substance abuse, depression and even suicide. Gambling marketing is one factor that contributes to consumers’ gambling behavior. One specific form of gambling marketing that has gained increasing popularity among ...

This research project encompasses two parts:

(1) A systematic literature review of existing research on the impact of sport sponsoring by gambling companies.

(2) Two experimental studies on respectively the impact of shirt sponsoring and billboard sponsoring by gambling companies in sport.

There is great concern about the rise in gambling participation and problematic gambling behaviour due to the presence, visibility, strong promotion and general normalization of gambling in society. Gambling advertising is regarded as an important contextual factor contributing to gambling and, subsequently, problematic gambling behaviour. In Belgium, an almost complete ban on gambling advertising with transitional measures was recently ...

Online gambling is a popular leisure activity among young adults; however, excessive gambling grows into an addition for an increasing number of people, leading to negative consequences such as financial debts and psychological problems. Advertising for gambling activities contributes to the social acceptance of gambling and is considered an important factor contributing to gambling participation. While there is currently no total ban on ...

Over the past decades games have become increasingly gambling-like or gamblified in their design, challenging established notions of gambling. Given the popularity and acceptance of gaming, this blurring of boundaries has raised concerns over players—including minors—being exposed to gambling elements. This necessitates a thorough understanding of how gambling structurally manifests itself in games.

In Chapter 1, I ...

Although new regulation in Belgium (July 2023) prohibits nearly all forms of gambling advertising, gambling brands already started to shift their advertising budgets to marketing forms that are not strictly regulated and can be considered loopholes or grey areas. One concerning shift is the one to cause marketing, which refers to gambling brands sponsoring charities or prosocial causes and communicating about these partnerships. This is ...

The prevalence of online gambling has increased due to technological advancements and the widespread use of smartphones.This digitalisation has exposed vulnerable groups, such as adolescents, to various forms of online gambling, such as sports betting. This doctoral study investigates mediated sports betting among young individuals in Belgium, particularly focusing on the influence of new avenues through which sports ...