Gamblification, Youth and Digital Games: A Dataset on Gaming Practices and Emotional Impacts Among Spanish Young People in Spain

Cross-sectional survey of individuals aged 16–25 residing in Spain (n = 1,000), fielded in June 2025. The dataset captures demographics, gaming practices, exposure to gamblified mechanics (e.g., loot boxes, randomized rewards, time-limited offers), spending bands, emotional responses, and perceptions among non-players.The survey questionnaire (available as related material) consists of three sections: 1) sociodemographic data; 2) gamers (n=927); and 3) non-gamers (n=73). To distinguish between gamers and non-gamers, a filter question was placed at the end of section 1 (“Do you regularly play video games, mobile games, or digital games?”).The first section collects information on: sex/gender, municipality of residence, province/community of residence according to Nielsen area, size of municipality of residence, level of education completed, and current employment status.Block two collects information on estimated weekly hours of play, the device usually used, estimated monthly money spent on video games, and the two most played games. It also includes five-point Likert scale questions (disagree/agree) on issues related to random mechanisms, payments, or gaming habits.The third section repeats the same pattern of five-point Likert scale questions (disagree/agree) but from the perspective of non-video game players.