At National Online Safety, we provide multi-award-winning online safety education for the whole school community. It’s our mission to make the internet a safer place for children. We believe that when children go online to learn, communicate or play, they should be able to do so safely. That’s why we provide schools all over the world with the knowledge they need in order to tackle new and evolving online risks.
Loot Boxes & Skin Betting
A near-constant source of controversy and debate in the gaming world, loot boxes and skin betting form an integral part of many popular titles but have been criticised for normalising gambling-type behaviours. Our short video has all the essential information for trusted adults.
What are loot boxes?
Some video games offer ‘loot boxes’ as a way to purchase items.
Similar to purchasing a pack of football stickers, players don’t know exactly what they will get. They may get a common item that has a low value in the game - but equally, they may get a rare item that has a high value.
What is skin betting?
‘Skin betting’ is when players use virtual items they have earned or purchased in games (often titled ‘skins’ because they are cosmetic features) as gambling currency.
Players can use websites or apps outside of the game itself, which are mostly unregulated, to bet with ‘skins’ on eSports competition outcomes. This becomes a legal issue when the ‘skins’ you win can be converted to cash.
For more information on the associated risks and online safety tips for parents and carers, watch our explainer video, available to those with a National Online Safety membership.
