Lootboxes have become integral to many popular video games, but their use is increasingly controversial and debated worldwide. Countries take different approaches to regulating this gaming mechanism, balancing consumer protection with supporting the gaming industry.
What are lootboxes?
A lootbox is a virtual container in a video game containing random items that can be used. Players usually receive lootboxes for performing certain actions or buy them with real or virtual money. A key feature of lootboxes is the element of randomness: the player does not know which item will fall out in advance.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the approach to lootboxes has undergone significant changes. In 2018, the local Gambling Authority equated lootboxes with gambling, resulting in hefty fines for developers.
However, in 2022, this decision was overturned by the General Administrative Court of the highest instance. The court ruled that lootboxes are not a separate game of chance but are part of the main game.
Despite the court’s ruling, there is an ongoing debate about the need to regulate lootboxes. Many political parties are in favor of restrictions, especially for underage players.
Belgium
Belgium is famous for its uncompromising stance on loot boxes. In 2018, the National Gambling Commission recognized loot boxes as gambling. Because of this decision, many developers were forced to either remove loot boxes from their games or stop releasing games in Belgium altogether.
However, research shows that not all developers strictly follow these restrictions. Many popular games still contain lootbox-like mechanics, raising questions about the effectiveness of the current regulation.
Conclusions
Obviously, this method of monetization is very similar to gambling. This similarity is especially noticeable now that gambling has moved to the internet and is available right from your phone. Every adult can download apps from well-known operators that are leading the search results: Melbet, Pin Up or 1win. The last online casino, as our authors managed to find out, provides the most functional application. To understand it, it is enough to go to the site to download the 1win app for Android and iOS. In terms of personal account features and the number of games, the app is equal to the desktop site.
Undoubtedly, gambling apps allow you to experience a wide range of colorful emotions from thousands of quality games. However, all these games are designed for adults, and no parent will allow their children to play them.
However, regular video games do not arouse suspicion, and parents do not control what their children do. Children, in the absence of such control, often spend too much money on loot boxes. One such case occurred in the UK.
Loot box regulation remains a complex and controversial topic. Different countries have chosen different approaches, from complete bans to minimal intervention. However, the general trend indicates that we can expect stricter regulation of this practice in the future.
Game developers should keep a close eye on changes in legislation in different countries and be ready to adapt their business models. The industry may have to find new, less controversial monetisation methods from a consumer protection perspective.
At the same time, the discussions around loot boxes raise broader questions about the nature of digital entertainment, virtual ownership, and developers’ responsibility to players. These discussions are likely to influence the gaming industry as a whole in the coming years.