It seems to be struggling to classify loot boxes in games as gambling, as there isn’t a ‘cash out’ system. Already his government has acted to reduce gambling advertising but there has been no deadline set for action concerning the above matters.Įurogamer ends its piece about the Belgian Gaming Commission decision by reminding UK dwellers that our Gambling Commission has yet to signal that anything will be done about video game loot boxes. Geens wants to talk directly to games publishers and developers about removing loot boxes.

The government must “ensure that children and adults are not confronted with games of chance when they are looking for fun in a video game,” asserted the minister. Gambling shouldn’t be introduced to minors, young people and the vulnerable though the backdoor of video gaming entertainment seems - to be the thrust of the Belgian decision. If minors are involved these numbers can be doubled. Recently in HEXUS news we reported that EA has learned from the Star Wars Battlefront 2 loot box debacle.ĭiscussing specific penalties publishers might face if they do not remove loot boxes, the Belgian Minister of Justice stated that offending publishers could face up to five years in jail and fines of up to €800,000. Star Wars Battlefront 2 escaped the judgement as it had removed loot boxes following vociferous player dissatisfaction with these and other microtransactions, and fearing the impending scrutiny of various European governments. All the games were judged to be conduits for 'games of chance', except for Star Wars Battlefront 2, and will thus be subject to Belgian gambling law. To consider this thorny issue of in-game loot boxes, the Belgian Gaming Commission looked at Star Wars Battlefront 2, FIFA 18, Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The minister reasoned that minors and vulnerable players particularly, should not be confronted with 'games of chance' when they want some video gaming fun. Minister of Justice Koen Geens said publishers could risk prison sentences and fines if these games with loot boxes continue to be distributed in Belgium. Following hot on the heels of a decision last week by the Netherlands, plucky Belgium has declared loot boxes are gambling and therefore illegal.

Another blow has rained down on the video gaming industry’s love of loot boxes yesterday.

Belgium says loot boxes gambling