Danish regulator launches campaign on gambling-like features in children's video games
On 26 October 2026 the Danish Gambling Authority launched a public campaign called "Casino in the Children's Room", aimed at parents. It focuses on loot boxes, random rewards and in-game purchases in games played by children.
Many South African children play online games with loot boxes and paid random rewards, and these mechanics sit outside gambling law in most places. The Danish campaign gives parents here a plain framework: look at how a game rewards play, not only how long a child plays. It is a responsible gambling issue that starts well before anyone is old enough to sign up to a casino.
What happened
According to iGaming Business, the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) unveiled a new awareness campaign on Monday 26 October 2026. It is called "Casino in the Children's Room" and is aimed at parents.
Director Anders Dorph said public debate about children and digital media is usually about screen time, but the content of games and the reward mechanisms children meet matter too.
How the campaign works
A short film turns a child's bedroom into a casino to show how gambling motifs are built into games. The regulator also points parents to a knowledge platform, StyrPaaSpillet.dk, covering gambling features in games, addiction risks and how to talk to children about gaming.
Three temporary shopfronts styled as casinos, labelled "Casino Kids", have been set up in Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen.
The research behind it
iGaming Business points to an earlier report from Sweden's gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen. It found a link between buying loot boxes as a minor and risky gambling behaviour later. Of those who bought loot boxes before the age of 15, 87% showed risky gambling behaviour as adults. That is a correlation reported by one regulator, not proof that loot boxes cause problem gambling.
What parents in South Africa can take from it
Check which games your children play for random rewards, paid packs or spinning wheels, and turn on spending limits in app stores. Gambling is for adults only, and the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline is available if you are worried about someone's play. Our responsible gambling page has more.
What to watch next
The same month, Denmark's government re-submitted a bill on gambling advertising aimed at minors, so more Danish policy on young people and gambling is likely.