I understand that with loot boxes in some video games, these items like skins, weapons, tools, among others, can be traded for real money. However, there are others that are equally addictive without any monetary benefit. On the other hand, with casinos, in general, you can win money 100% of the time. Therefore, these cases of addiction are not strictly related to money, but the loss of money would be more of a consequence. So, to what degree is money a stimulating factor in addictions?
Is the loss of money just collateral damage?
Money is still the motivating factor for any gambler, addicted or not to play, although others might argue that they can also play and have some fun and be entertain, still at the end of the day, we don't want to lose our money just like that. For the loot boxes and their comparison to gambling, if they can traded that for real money then it's gambling, no question about it. But can they be called addiction? I'm not really sure about it, as their motivation is money, but it doesn't mean that they are addict.
And as others have describe with more experience with those kind of video games, their motivation could be different, or again, as I have said, they could not be categorically describe as addicts as they just play the game and have the thrill.