Video Game Loot Boxes in Gambling Controversy

This story was published more than 6 years ago.

Loot boxes in video games have come under the microscope in recent weeks, as authorities across the world are investigating whether or not the purchasable boxes constitute gambling.

Loot boxes are purchasable in-game and allow players to open up exclusive content. The boxes are completely random, bringing in what is described as some as an element of gambling. These microtransactions allow players to obtain specific weapons, outfits, skills, and characters. This has made some feel as if the boxes make games "pay to win", which goes above and beyond the standard MSRP paid for a title. This has led to MP Daniel Zeichner asking the UK's Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley what she'll do to protect underage players from in-game gambling and loot boxes.

For their part, the Entertainment Software Rating Board, the software rating group in the United States says that they don't consider the boxes to be gambling. Instead, they liken loot boxes to buying trading cards or collectible card games like Magic: The Gathering. In a statement, the group said, "While there's an element of chance in these mechanics, the player is always guaranteed to receive in-game content (even if the player unfortunately receives something they don't want). We think of it as a similar principle to collectible card games: Sometimes you'll open a pack and get a brand new holographic card you've had your eye on for a while. But other times you'll end up with a pack of cards you already have."

For their part the Pan European Game Information rating group said that they cannot define what gambling is, as that choice is up to a country's regulator. The topic of loot boxes has come into prominence lately as games like Overwatch, Middle Earth: Shadow of War, and the upcoming Star Wars: Battlefront II have implemented various loot boxes into their titles.

Needless to say, the debate surrounding the topic will continue and Casino Listings will update this story as we learn more about the topic.

About the author

Dustin Jermalowicz // News Editor
Dustin Jermalowicz
Dustin has a long-standing passion for gambling. He has been writing professionally on the subject and breaking industry news for Casino Listings since 2011. His favorite casino games include Blackjack, Poker, and Hi/Lo. A proud native of Detroit, Dustin currently lives in Michigan.
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bgsharpe
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18 October 2017 - 7:44am
#1

It's disputable of course...but I think it's OK in the end...just...would be curious what the authorities would decide about that...