Dating experts have identified collecting Labubu dolls and other blind box toys as a potential red flag, warning that the habit can signal gambling tendencies and financial irresponsibility. The craze, which has seen adults spending thousands of pounds on mystery collectibles, is being compared to gambling due to the addictive thrill of opening sealed packages.
One collector, Jess, 28, from Ireland, admitted spending up to £215 ($270) a week on blind boxes, including Labubu and Squishmallows. She described the experience as akin to gambling, saying, 'Whenever you get the one that you want, it’s unreal.' Jess, who has spent around £1,000 ($1,300) in a few months, said she feels 'debilitated' by her habit and has experienced buyer's guilt, noting the money could have gone towards her wedding.
Another collector, Dana Nguyen, 27, from California, has spent $4,000 on Labubu dolls since January. She said, 'Honestly, that’s gambling. I’m gonna say it flat out: it’s straight gambling.' Nguyen realised she had a problem when she found 20 parcels waiting at her PO Box, questioning how she could afford to travel while spending so much on toys.
The blind box market, led by Chinese company Pop Mart, is now worth an estimated $40bn. However, concerns have been raised about its predatory nature, with Chinese state media condemning the marketing tactics. Social media videos show buyers repeatedly purchasing boxes in search of rare items, often ending up with duplicates and incomplete sets.
Experts warn that the behaviour mirrors gambling addiction, with collectors chasing the high of finding a desired item. The trend has seen adults in the US buying more toys for themselves than for children, with a 18% increase in toy purchases for grownups in the first half of 2025.
