Tik Tok games with gambling element may be breaking the law

Experts also highlight the potential harm to addicted users, especially younger ones

- Rosalind Ang

Some TikTok users have discovered a new live-streamed trend: playing spin-the-wheel games to win a coveted Labubu doll, a character created by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart.

In games that The Sunday Times observed, Singapore-based sellers charged about $20 for a single spin.

There were an average of 30 viewers on such TikTok Live sessions, each of which typically features five to six games. Only one player out of six would win, paying extra for shipping to get the doll.

Demand for the Labubu toy surged after Lisa from top Kpop group Blackpink posted several pictures of herself holding the doll on Instagram in April.

As the dolls are given as prizes in "blind boxes", players do not know which colour of the doll they have won until opening the box, which usually costs between $32 and $50 if bought off the shelf.

This is part of the appeal of such games, said psychiatrist Thomas Lee.

The thrill of chance involves the excitement and anticipation of the unknown outcome, such as winning the game or getting the exact item they desire, said Dr Lee, medical director and consultant psychiatrist at Resilienz Clinic.

The limited availability of certain items, such as a Labubu doll in a particular colour, can increase their perceived value, enticing players to join the games, he added. Some may be driven by the fear of missing out - seeing other players win the prizes might lead people to participate to avoid missing out on these potential rewards.

These games of chance are essentially forms of gambling, Dr Lee said, noting that a player does not know exactly how many times he needs to gamble before winning.

"This unpredictability can make gambling highly addictive because the player is constantly motivated by the possibility of a win, even after multiple losses." Responding to ST, a TikTok spokesperson said that the platform does not permit the promotion or facilitation of gambling or gambling-like activities.