oooffff. That is a rough addiction, i am not sure it really falls in the same line as gambling but defintely a spending, gotta have it all type of addiction. Some of these games like the ones they mention and i know of a few like Knights and Dragons, Mobile Strike, etc… that literally beat you over the head with in-game purchases. I defintely can see how you can get sucked in as you want to be competitive. I know i have spent a pretty penny over the years just getting sucked in.
It’s at the very least triggering compulsive behavior, and probably an addiction with some. While it doesn’t fall into gambling in my opinion, it’s definitely meant to push people into spending heavily.
That guy probably just needs a girlfriend (not Rosie). 
Edit: girlfriend/boyfriend/non-binary…have to try keep it PC these days!