A convergence of gaming and gambling products, services, and platforms is presently drawing considerable policy debate. This convergence may be giving rise to a critical area of consumer vulnerability given the addictive potential of gaming and gambling. While some convergence aspects are gaining research attention, the broader contexts of the phenomenon have not been adequately examined. In light of this, the present study aimed to inform four key enquiry areas pertaining to gaming-gambling convergence—contexts and drivers, definitions and framings, risk and harm, and legislative response. Using a narrative review method, 108 articles from the academic and grey literature were examined and thematically summarised to provide an overview of the convergence phenomenon. Findings indicate convergence in multiple overlapping contexts (gaming elements in gambling, games incorporating gambling elements, gambling on games, free simulated online gambling, and social media games and gambling) driven by technological advances and commercial interests. Findings related to definitions and framing include the industry’s strategic use of the term gaming to reduce negative connotations associated with gambling, and community perceptions of gaming as legitimate and harmless entertainment. Potential risks include transitions from games (without money) to real-money gambling, and problem co-existence. Legislative responses are beginning to emerge with the greatest focus being on loot boxes in games. However, the limited evidence of risk and harm has led to hesitancies in legislative actions to regulate gaming-gambling hybrids in some jurisdictions. Considering that convergence is supported by rapid advances in technology and is taking place largely on the Internet (accessible 24 h), harms for consumers could manifest quickly and spread broadly across societies before their existence and severity are established. Based on the Precautionary Principle, the present evidence base call for harm prevention policies and regulations in addition to changes in the definition of money (including digital currency and microtransaction) in gaming and gambling laws.

目前，游戏和赌博产品，服务和平台的融合正在引起广泛的政策争论。鉴于游戏和赌博具有令人上瘾的潜力，这种融合可能会引起消费者脆弱性的关键领域。尽管某些趋同性方面正在引起研究关注，但尚未对该现象的更广泛的背景进行充分的研究。有鉴于此，本研究旨在为与博弈融合相联系的四个关键查询领域提供信息-情境和驱动因素，定义和框架，风险和危害以及立法对策。使用叙述性评论方法，对来自学术和灰色文献的108篇文章进行了审查，并进行了主题总结，以概述融合现象。研究结果表明，在技术进步和商业利益的驱动下，多种重叠环境（赌博中的赌博元素，包含赌博元素的游戏，游戏中的赌博，免费模拟在线赌博以及社交媒体游戏和赌博）之间的融合。与定义和框架相关的发现包括业界对游戏一词的战略使用，以减少与赌博相关的负面含义，以及社区将游戏视为合法且无害的娱乐。潜在的风险包括从游戏（无钱）过渡到真钱赌博以及问题共存。立法反应开始出现，最大的重点是游戏中的战利品盒。然而，风险和损害的证据有限，导致在某些司法管辖区对管制博彩混合型人的立法行动持谨慎态度。考虑到融合是由技术的快速发展所支持的，并且很大程度上是在Internet上（24小时可访问）进行的，因此，对消费者的危害可能会迅速显现出来，并在其存在和严重性确立之前在整个社会广泛传播。基于预防原则是本证据基础，除了在赌博和赌博法律中对金钱（包括数字货币和微交易）的定义进行更改之外，还要求采取预防危害的政策和法规。