In the Netherlands, loot boxes have also been discussed for years. A classification as gambling is currently under consideration but has not yet been officially passed. However, this has led to a rather curious situation.
In 2020, the District Court of The Hague imposed a ruling against the packs in Ultimate Team and classified them as gambling. However, EA appealed and was right in March 2022:
Nevertheless, there is ongoing discussion about banning or classifying loot boxes as gambling in many countries. The Twitch streamer Asmongold has even met with a politician in the USA to discuss a ban:
What do you think about the issue of loot boxes? Should they be classified as gambling and games receive an age rating from 18, or should they even be banned altogether? Or are you not that dissatisfied with loot boxes?
In the Netherlands, loot boxes have also been discussed for years. A classification as gambling is currently under consideration but has not yet been officially passed. However, this has led to a rather curious situation.
In 2020, the District Court of The Hague imposed a ruling against the packs in Ultimate Team and classified them as gambling. However, EA appealed and was right in March 2022:
Nevertheless, there is ongoing discussion about banning or classifying loot boxes as gambling in many countries. The Twitch streamer Asmongold has even met with a politician in the USA to discuss a ban:
What do you think about the issue of loot boxes? Should they be classified as gambling and games receive an age rating from 18, or should they even be banned altogether? Or are you not that dissatisfied with loot boxes?
In the Netherlands, loot boxes have also been discussed for years. A classification as gambling is currently under consideration but has not yet been officially passed. However, this has led to a rather curious situation.
In 2020, the District Court of The Hague imposed a ruling against the packs in Ultimate Team and classified them as gambling. However, EA appealed and was right in March 2022:
Nevertheless, there is ongoing discussion about banning or classifying loot boxes as gambling in many countries. The Twitch streamer Asmongold has even met with a politician in the USA to discuss a ban:
What do you think about the issue of loot boxes? Should they be classified as gambling and games receive an age rating from 18, or should they even be banned altogether? Or are you not that dissatisfied with loot boxes?
Nadine Dorries is the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the UK. In a statement, she spoke on July 17 about loot boxes in gaming. The government particularly demands the protection of children. If the gaming industry does not respond, it will consider legislative changes.
What exactly did Dorries say? In her statement, she reacted to a request from the House of Lords that was submitted in 2020. The request called for the regulation of loot boxes and even wanted to classify them as gambling.
However, Dorries does not go that far for now. She is only calling for more protection for children and young people:
We want to prevent children from going on shopping sprees on the internet without parental permission and being encouraged by in-game purchases like loot boxes.
Game companies and platforms need to do more to ensure that controls and age restrictions are enforced so that players are protected from the risk of gambling harm. Children should have the freedom to enjoy games safely while parents and guardians have the necessary assurance.
In doing so, the British government is relying on the self-regulation of game companies. However, if the measures of the companies are not sufficient, it will not hesitate to “consider legislation.”
The government has launched a new working group that brings together game companies, platforms, and regulatory authorities.
Loot boxes are especially included in games like Genshin Impact or Lost Ark. But the popular FIFA also relies on random packs in Ultimate Team mode. There was a huge outcry in 2019 with Star Wars: Battlefront 2. There, loot boxes with pay-to-win items were introduced, which led to a massive backlash.
Government receives support on reddit for stricter regulation
How are the announced changes being received? Very positively. Many gamers do not think much of the loot box mechanic and wish for other ways of monetization. Moreover, many hope that if loot boxes are part of a game, they will be considered gambling in the future and regulated accordingly.
It says, for example, in the Games reddit:
- “It is a great relief that the trend towards loot boxes in larger titles is finally fading. I never would have expected Overwatch to eliminate them. We owe this to legislation worldwide that makes it increasingly difficult to obscure the odds of winning. Keep hammering on them and remove gambling from the purchases.”
- “It’s a start, I have to admit. I just find it hard to hope that predatory practices will really be eradicated when I keep seeing how lives are destroyed by it.”
- “I would even support banning not just loot boxes, but any form of predatory monetization. I’m glad it’s getting more recognition as a problem.”
However, there is also criticism. Some are calling for immediate legislative action rather than relying on companies to self-regulate. This is always a bad idea. The user KopazSolidus says:
Welcome to our government, where it is easier to suggest that people do or not do something than to enforce the necessary legislation. What a bunch of useless, lazy Tories [name for the Conservative Party].
Ban on loot boxes in Belgium and likely soon in the Netherlands
What is the situation in other countries? In Belgium, there has been a law since April 26, 2018, that classifies loot boxes as gambling. With consequences:
- Games are repeatedly not released in Belgium. Notable examples recently included Bless Unleashed, which was banned in Belgium and the Netherlands, Diablo Immortal and Lost Ark, which has only been playable in the Netherlands since July.
- In Belgium, no FIFA Points are offered for purchase. There, players can only build their teams through tournaments or through trading.
In 2020, the District Court of The Hague imposed a ruling against the packs in Ultimate Team and classified them as gambling. However, EA appealed and was right in March 2022:
Nevertheless, there is ongoing discussion about banning or classifying loot boxes as gambling in many countries. The Twitch streamer Asmongold has even met with a politician in the USA to discuss a ban:
What do you think about the issue of loot boxes? Should they be classified as gambling and games receive an age rating from 18, or should they even be banned altogether? Or are you not that dissatisfied with loot boxes?
In the Netherlands, loot boxes have also been discussed for years. A classification as gambling is currently under consideration but has not yet been officially passed. However, this has led to a rather curious situation.
In 2020, the District Court of The Hague imposed a ruling against the packs in Ultimate Team and classified them as gambling. However, EA appealed and was right in March 2022:
Nevertheless, there is ongoing discussion about banning or classifying loot boxes as gambling in many countries. The Twitch streamer Asmongold has even met with a politician in the USA to discuss a ban:
What do you think about the issue of loot boxes? Should they be classified as gambling and games receive an age rating from 18, or should they even be banned altogether? Or are you not that dissatisfied with loot boxes?
In the Netherlands, loot boxes have also been discussed for years. A classification as gambling is currently under consideration but has not yet been officially passed. However, this has led to a rather curious situation.
In 2020, the District Court of The Hague imposed a ruling against the packs in Ultimate Team and classified them as gambling. However, EA appealed and was right in March 2022:
Nevertheless, there is ongoing discussion about banning or classifying loot boxes as gambling in many countries. The Twitch streamer Asmongold has even met with a politician in the USA to discuss a ban:
What do you think about the issue of loot boxes? Should they be classified as gambling and games receive an age rating from 18, or should they even be banned altogether? Or are you not that dissatisfied with loot boxes?
