A new international study led by researchers at the University of Queensland has found that nearly 8 out of 10 people at risk of gaming disorder have experienced financial harm or overspending due to their gaming habits. The research involved adult gamers from five countries—Australia, China, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the United States—and looked at whether a higher risk of gaming disorder was connected to financial issues caused by spending on games. The findings were published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions. According to the study, people at higher risk of gaming disorder were nearly eight times more likely to experience financial harm and five times more likely to overspend on games compared to those at lower risk. Overspending was defined as spending more than intended, while financial harm included outcomes such as debt and difficulty covering basic living expenses. Gaming disorder refers to a persistent and excessive pattern of gaming that causes significant problems in daily life, such as neglecting responsibilities or relationships. Study co-author Associate Professor Janni Leung from the University of Queensland emphasized the need for greater awareness of gaming-related financial harm and stronger consumer protections, especially in the in-game purchasing environment. She suggested that game spending should be designed with consumer well-being in mind, and that clearer safeguards, better spending controls, and increased awareness could help prevent financial harm from worsening. The study found that nearly half of Indonesian participants reported gaming-related financial harm, compared to 41.4% of Chinese participants and 30.5% of Australian participants. Overspending was common across all countries, with the highest rates reported in China (63.3%) and Indonesia (59.2%), compared to 37.4% in Australia. Researchers suggest that the higher rates in China and Indonesia may be influenced by differences in economic conditions, gaming markets, and revenue models used by game developers, such as microtransactions and loot boxes. Younger participants, aged 18 to 25, reported the highest levels of financial harm linked to gaming, while nearly 56% of those aged 26 to 40 reported overspending. Although men were more likely to overspend, the study found no significant difference in financial harm between genders.