Experts: Loot Boxes Not Gambling

We have so much news on the latest lootbox fiasco in the UK, let's take a look at what's transpiring this Monday on all fronts.

Loot Boxes Are Not Gambling

UK Gambling Commission boss tells members of parliament that under current legislation, loot boxes and FIFA player packs do not count at gambling.

In FIFA, gamblers can purchase packs but have no idea what players they will end up with. Similarly, loot boxes essentially contain surprise items like weapons, costumes and so forth. This surprise element has prompted critics to liken the purchasing of these packs to gambling.   Read More Here

“We do think the way we’ve implemented these kinds of mechanics is quite ethical and quite fun,” Kerry Hopkins, vice president of legal and government affairs at EA said. “They aren’t gambling and we disagree that there’s evidence that shows they lead to gambling.”

Loot Boxes ARE Gambling and Prosecution is Coming

Video game developers could be prosecuted if they fail to prevent children gambling using items featured in popular games such as Call of Duty and Counter-Strike, MPs have been told.

In an evidence session with the digital, media, culture and sport select committee, which is examining links between gaming and gambling, the UK’s betting regulator said it had “significant concerns” about products such as skins and loot boxes. Skins are in-game items that can be won in the game, such as weapons, outfits or particular football players, while loot boxes invite players to pay a certain amount for a mystery reward.  Read More Here

US Lawmakers Taking Notice

This past May, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced that he was introducing a new piece of legislation that would shield kids from certain monetization tactics from video game publishers. The Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act would ban loot boxes and pay-to-win mechanics in games marketed toward players who are under 18.

The bill leaves it to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to enforce the proposed rules, saying that the FTC would “would treat the distribution of such games by publishers and online distributors as an unfair trade practice.” State attorneys would also be able to file lawsuits to “defend the residents of their state.”

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com