The other day, a pre-teen boy sat across from me in my clinic and showed me something on his phone. This was prompted by his mum, who was understandably concerned. It was a “game” he had been playing on his phone. What I saw horrified me. The “game” looked exactly like a poker machine (see the heading image for a real photo of what he was playing). Upon inquiry, I found that the young man could tell me all about the major, minor and grand jackpots, the features and the prizes.

You might wonder how a child can so easily have a poker machine on his phone? Well unfortunately, despite how it looks, this app is technically a game, not gambling. It’s what we refer to as simulated gambling.

Simulated Gambling


Simulated gambling is essentially when a game has some or many of the features of gambling, but without legally constituting gambling. These games imitate many of the core characteristics of gambling, such as the look, the sounds and the features, but do not provide an opportunity to win or lose real money.

For something to be legally considered gambling, there are three ingredients required: you stake something of value (usually money), the outcome is based on chance, and there is some kind of prize if you “win.” In other words, you have to risk something to maybe get something better back.

Many of these apps get around that definition by removing the direct cash payout. Instead, players might spend in-game currency, earn virtual rewards, or “win” items that don’t translate into real-world money.

What this might look like in a typical video game, is staking “10 red coins”, for the opportunity to spin a wheel and win a random prize that might be helpful for your progress in the game. The in-game prize you win might be great, it might be average, or it might be relatively useless. But the structure is still: stake something, put it forward to chance, and hope for a big reward.

You’ll find simulated gambling within typical video games (these often show up in the form of “loot boxes”), or you can also play stand-alone simulated casino games, like the one my young client was playing.

If You Can’t Win or Lose Money, Then What’s The Problem?

Parents might wonder, “if it’s not real money, then what’s the harm?”. On the surface, simulated gambling can look harmless – just bright colours, fun sounds and cartoon characters collecting coins. But under the hood, these games are teaching the same habits and emotional patterns as real gambling. When you play a simulated gambling game, the “wins” are typically more frequent and often larger than in real gambling, which makes the experience feel particularly exciting and rewarding, especially for young, developing brains.

Over time, simulated gambling can psychologically prime a young person for real gambling. Studies indicated playing simulated gambling games, particularly on teen years, is linked with a higher risk of later gambling problems. This is why many experts are now describing simulated gambling as a possible gateway into real gambling. Repeated exposure, especially at younger ages, can normalise gambling‑like behaviour and make it seem like just another part of gaming and everyday life.

What Parents Can Do

First, stay curious and involved. Ask your child to show you their favourite games and sit with them while they play. Let them explain what the coins, spins, loot boxes or prize wheels do, and gently point out when the game is using chance and rewards in ways that resemble gambling. This can turn into a powerful teaching moment.

Second, set clear boundaries. Use parental controls to limit in‑game purchases and consider turning off access to your payment details on shared devices. For younger children, choose to avoid games with simulated gambling altogether and steer them towards games that are skill‑based, creative or cooperative instead.

Finally, keep communication open. Let your child know they can talk to you if a game starts to feel stressful, addictive or out of control. If you are worried about how much time or money your child is spending on these games, or if you notice changes in mood, sleep or school performance, consider speaking with a health professional experienced in gaming and gambling issues. Early conversations and small changes at home can make a big difference in reducing the risk of problems down the track.

Summary

Young people are increasingly engaging with simulated gambling through gaming apps, where gambling-like features are embedded in otherwise harmless-looking games. These platforms often resemble poker machines or casino-style play, making them highly accessible and appealing, even on personal devices like phones.

While these games may appear harmless, they reinforce similar psychological patterns to gambling—such as reward anticipation and risk–reward cycles—and may increase the likelihood of later gambling behaviours, particularly in young people.

For parents, the key response is to stay engaged and curious about your child’s gaming, set clear limits around in-game spending and access, and maintain open communication. Early awareness and guidance can reduce potential risks and support healthier gaming habits.