As desperate kids beg mom and dad for the money to buy the sale-of-the-moment grab bag on the Roblox platform, thinking it’s all in fun — the latest research suggests they should think otherwise.

Loot boxes in the online gaming world are virtual surprise boxes a player can purchase full of random items like outfits, weapons or different abilities, for the chance at winning a special item. These boxes offer no guarantee and often contain nothing overly special.

A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior of 1,416 adults, finds strong connections between loot box buying, gambling problems and mental health issues. It also links loot box disbursements and mental health conditions like impulsivity, stress, anxiety and depression.

Most notably, the findings suggest anxiety and impulsivity greatly increase the relationship between loot box buying and gambling symptoms and those with depression showed more intense connections between loot box purchasing and problematic gambling.

“The present study contributes to a better understanding of LB (loot box) buying and its potential similarities to other behavioral addictions such as those to gambling or online gaming,” the team finds, “Considering loot box regulation, it is important to understand the effects of opening/purchasing loot boxes on mental health and vice versa, especially among more vulnerable populations and at-risk users,” they warn.

“There are currently no rules and regulations to stop children from purchasing loot boxes, however, the government is expected to review the current Gambling Act,” says the NSPCC (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), the UK’s leading children’s charity founded in 1883.