Last week the Belgium Gaming Commission launched a probe into the realm of the Loot Box as seen in numerous games. The goal? To see if they constitute gambling, specifically citing Overwatch and the recent release of Star Wars Battlefront II as examples. Well, the results are in. And according to a few select Belgians, yes they're a form of gambling.

With the Google translation of the findings being, "The mixing of money and addiction is gambling." Belgium's Minister of Justice Koen Geens chimed in, saying, "Mixing gambling and gaming, especially at a young age, is dangerous for the mental health of the child."

With the next step to look at banning them all together. This finding is in stark contrast to the American ratings board ESRB which came to the conclusion that Loot Boxes were not a form of gambling.

Source: PC Gamer

lootboxes are gambling according to victoria's gambling regulator

My name is Jarrod Wolfe and I am the Strategic Analyst for the Compliance Division at VCGLR. I have received your correspondence in regards to gambling functionality (loot boxes) being incorporated into games.

Your research and suppositions on the matter are correct; what occurs with "loot boxes" does constitute gambling by the definition of the Victorian Legislation. Unfortunately where the complexity arises is in jurisdiction and our powers to investigate.

Legislation has not moved as quick as the technology; at both State and Federal level we are not necessarily equipped to determine the legality of these practices in lieu of the fact the entities responsible are overseas.

even hawaii are going after lootboxes.





last edited by ravn0s at 19:10:28 22/Nov/17

Wow. Interesting. Almost surprising that the US hasn't clamped down on this hard already given their puritan attitudes towards online gambling.

For instance, the Classification Board could get involved. "If these companies want to include significant elements of gambling in their products then perhaps we should work with 'The Australian Classification Board' to ensure than any product that does that and monetises it gets an immediate R rating," Wolfe proposed.

Its a little ironic that the R rating the wowzers were hardcore against may actually protect the children in the end.

Belgium is the pseudo capital of the EU, this could be fast tracked as EU law very quickly.
Existing fines could be force EA to pay millions in fines and punitive damages, but they can force EA to settle and cement the law.

In relation to Victorian Gambling Authority, the Federal Goverments Online Gambling Act 2001 says foreign companies are liable for fines up to and include 1.1 million dollars per day, if they are operating illegally with Australian customers... the only problem, the authority is the Australian Media and Communications Authority (and they kind of forget they suppose to enforce online gambling) they might have an issue claiming jurisdiction on computer games.

not sure if The Onion or .... not

Can everywhere ban them?.. Loot boxes are the worst thing to be added to gaming since quick-time events.