Zoe Osmond, the CEO of GambleAware, an independent charity that seeks to reduce gambling-related harms in the UK, has voiced concerns over video games that feature gambling-like features.

She told the BBC: "We know from our previous research that many children have reported how their online spaces are 'saturated' with content which often blurs the lines between gaming and gambling."

Osmond observed that these video games could actually increase the risk of becoming a gambling addict in adulthood.

She said: "Exposure to this gambling-like content from a young age can lead to an increased risk of experiencing gambling harm later in life."

Meanwhile, Adrian Hon, the head of game developer Six to Start, has accused the gaming industry of "conveniently ignoring or forgetting regulations that might interfere with their ability to sell to players".

He said: "We know that many people, including children, struggle with overspending on loot boxes."

Hon subsequently accused gaming companies of showing a "lack of care towards vulnerable players".

Hon has called on these companies to be more transparent about their approach.

He explained: "The least that games companies could do is disclose the presence of loot boxes, but they won't even do that - it's an indictment of their priorities and lack of care towards vulnerable players."