Skins gambling is gaining ground and causing concern among the authorities. Behind these virtual objects exchanged in video games lies a market akin to online casinos, where minors are on the front line. Faced with a cross-border phenomenon that is difficult to control, British regulators are sounding the alarm.
A global phenomenon that is difficult to control
British regulators are sounding the alarm about a rapidly expanding practice: skins gambling, i.e. betting with virtual objects from video games. According to a report commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), more than fifty specialised sites are accessible from the UK. Some even attract more monthly visitors than incumbent operators such as Betfred or BetVictor. In February 2025 alone, these platforms attracted almost 6.9 million visits worldwide, 4% of which came from the UK.
The data is worrying: teenagers, particularly boys aged 11 to 14, are twice as likely to bet with skins as young adults aged 22 to 24. For many, this is their very first contact with the world of gambling. Nearly 71% of users surveyed said they had discovered this practice between the ages of 13 and 17.
Mechanics that mimic casinos
Skins gambling sites adopt the codes of traditional games of chance: roulettes, slot machines and crash games. Their mechanics exploit techniques known to increase engagement: losses disguised as winnings, ‘near-success’ visuals, fast-paced games.
Another troubling element is that some games give the illusion that the user controls the outcome. In reality, everything is based on chance, which encourages prolonged sessions and an increased risk of addiction.
Significantly inadequate protection for players
An analysis of 20 platforms shows glaring gaps in protection. Only a quarter of them have a page dedicated to responsible gambling. None of them has a truly effective age verification system. Most allow self-exclusion, but this is limited to their own site, with no coordination with other operators.
Customer service, which is supposed to play a supportive role, is still lacking. Out of 16 sites offering live chat, only one offered a relevant response when a user reported signs of addiction. The majority contented themselves with general suggestions or total silence.
One thing is certain: the rise of skins gambling illustrates the eternal tug-of-war between digital innovation and consumer protection. It remains to be seen whether the regulators will be able to regain the upper hand.