Gambling addiction Norway critical of Erling Braut Haaland fronting the mobile game Clash of Clans – NRK Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio

– It is sad and strictly unnecessary. We are not satisfied at all, says Magnus Pedersen, advisor at Gambling Addiction Norway.

The organization is not enthusiastic about the type of game the Manchester City star has chosen to front the mobile game Clash Of Clans.

The game, which is played by millions all over the world, now makes it possible to choose Haaland as the appearance of the character “Barbarian King”.

– He fronts a rather addictive game, says Pedersen, who points out that Haaland has a great influence on many young people.

– Suddenly a lot of money has gone

Pedersen explains that Clash of Clans is basically free, but that it is designed in such a way that one will become addicted to it.

If you don’t want to wait for all the tasks to be done, you can pay yourself further in the game.

You can therefore use money to promote your own position in the game. According to Pedersen, there are several people who do well.

The organization has been contacted by both adults and children who experience online addiction to this game.

– Free games are very tempting for children and young people, who may not have that much money in the first place, he says.

According to Pedersen, it is often not the large sums that it costs to buy your way into the game.

– But ten kroner here and ten kroner there. Suddenly quite a lot of money has been spent, he explains.

It has not been possible for NRK to comein contact with Team Haaland.

– Scary product

NRK has previously told about how children buy “skins” from computer games and use them as currency in online gambling.

Gambling addiction Norway is calling for legislation that protects children from this type of marketing, which they believe is a growing problem.

– I clearly think that it is a scary product, and that it has gambling-similar functions in themselves, says Pedersen.

They get support from Inger Lise Hansen, secretary general of the organization Actis, which works with addiction.

– It is cynical of Supercell to use an idol like Haaland to sell a mobile game aimed at children. They take advantage of the fact that young people will buy the Haaland character in order to achieve belonging and status, she says.

Hansen believes that many mobile games are in practice a marketplace for advertising aimed at children.

The manufacturer advises against excessive playing

– Game producers such as Supercell make a lot of money from microtransactions. It is particularly speculative that they use Haaland in their game, which particularly appeals to children and young people, she says.

The organization believes that it is well known that many game producers make use of manipulative designs to get players to buy “skins”.

They think the Haaland character will particularly appeal to young boys. This is the group which, according to the research, is particularly prone to problems with gambling and computer games.

– Haaland shows poor judgment when he sells himself and his name to a game like Clash of Clans. There are plenty of other arenas where he can use his celebrity status, Hansen believes.

The game company Supercell, which is behind Clash of Clans, wrote in an email to NRK that they want a healthy relationship with their game:

“That’s why we make our games so that they discourage excessive playing. We have introduced various tools so that parents can limit their children’s playing time. Our games are always free to download, and approximately 80 percent of our active players never spend money on our games,” write them.

It is important that adults get involved

Mari Velsand is director of the Norwegian Media Authority.

She tells NRK that they will encourage adult role models to use their position to contribute to computer games being safe and inclusive for children and young people.

– Interest and commitment from guardians and other adults is important in computer games, as with other leisure activities children participate in, says Velsand.

Velsand emphasizes how important it is that adults familiarize themselves with various games, especially when there may be money involved.

She urges parents and guardians to have an open dialogue and set clear boundaries.

With an open dialogue between guardians and children, she believes it will be easier for children to go to the adults if they experience something unpleasant or frightening while they are playing.

– This is important for the safety of the children, says Velsand.

Velsand also pointed out that those who already isolate themselves through computer games often have other problems, and that games can then become a positive mastery arena.