Young People Hooked on Playing Arcade Games Are Spending Thousands, Sparking Concerns

Urian B., Tech Times 17 September 2023, 10:09 pm

Arcades used to be where young people would spend their extra time and money, and while it may seem like these arcades have disappeared, some people today are still addicted to them. With that, it was revealed that young people are still spending hundreds on arcade games recently.

Young People Are Spending Huge Money on Arcade Games

According to The Straits Times, 13-year-old Alicia spent quite a lot of money on arcade games. She would pay around $2,500 monthly for these arcade games, in which you can win tickets that can be exchanged for rewards, including toys and gadgets.

In a month, she would go to the arcade about five times, spending up to two hours each time. Alicia, a Secondary 1 student who still does well at school, told The Sunday Times she gets the satisfaction of winning the toys on her own, which makes her "really happy."

The arcades reportedly allow people under 16 to play from 6:30 p.m. to 11:49 p.m. on school days. However, an exception exists when it comes to amusement centers that don't have computer games since they can still accept people under 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on school days.

Despite Limits for People Under 16, Others Can Easily Change Their Uniforms

The only thing is that the licensee has to ensure that people under 16 years old don't play video games. However, Alicia said this rule did not stop her from playing video games since she does not wear her school uniform.

Before entering the mall arcades near her school, Alicia changed out of her school uniform. She also revealed that the money she spends on these arcades comes from her mother and that it would have been more affordable if she bought the toys online directly.

It was also revealed that she was fond of games that involved redeeming prizes like claw machines or coin-pusher machines. She enjoyed getting the tickets, which can be exchanged for rewards like toys, appliances, and even mobile phones.

Addiction to Arcade Games Resulted in Some Young People Experiencing Massive Debt

The situation has raised concern as observers worry that there could be a blur when it comes to the distinction between gaming and gambling. This happens when players become more attracted to prizes that might be worth more than what they spend.

It was also reported that arcade games that allow players to win prizes are popular in places like Hong Kong. Previously, there were some arcade places where patrons could exchange their game points for actual cash.

However, exchanging game points for cash is illegal. It was reported in 2020 that younger gamers became hooked on certain fishing games due to the lure of cash rewards, according to SCMP.

The game involved shooting at sea creatures to get points. However, some of these gamers spent so much that they ended up with debts surpassing $17,400.

Aside from arcades, Additude Mag reported a study that said video game addiction is prevalent in young adults who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).