Effects of self-isolation and quarantine on loot box spending and excessive gaming—results of a natural experiment

COVID-19 has prompted widespread self-isolation and citywide/countrywide lockdowns. The World Health Organisation (WHO) encouraged increased digital social activities such as video game play to counteract isolation during the pandemic. However, there is active debate about potential for overuse, some games contain randomised purchases (loot boxes) that may psychologically approximate gambling. In this pre-registered study, we examined effects of quarantine on excessive gaming loot box spending. We recruited 1,144 (619 male, 499 female, 26 other) Australian, Aotearoa New Zealand, US residents who self reported being quarantined or self-isolating ( n = 447) not 619) pandemic a cross-sectional natural experiment. compared associations between problem gambling symptomology, spending isolated non-isolated participants. Participants completed Kessler-10 Psychological Distress Scale, Problem Gambling Severity Index, Internet Gaming Disorder Checklist, measure risky engagement with boxes, concern contamination, money spent boxes in past month, well whether they were under Although, our data, higher (self-isolated/ quarantined) gamers, established association symptomology was stronger among gamers than those isolated. Concerns contaminated by germs also significantly associated greater and, lesser extent, irrespective status. Gamers might be managing concerns use, more gamblers purchasing It unclear these relationships represent temporary coping mechanisms which abate when ends. Re-examination subsides required. More generally, results suggest inflate effect size media psychology effects. urge caution generalise psychological findings from research conducted necessarily representative magnitude