Loot boxes to face further scrutiny in the Netherlands and Spain
Governments looking into greater regulation and could be classified as gambling
Governments in Spain and the Netherlands are considering the introduction of new laws increasing regulation of loot boxes.
In the Netherlands, Henri Bontenbal, Member of Parliament for the Christian Democratic Appeal, has put forward a motion to amend the law surrounding loot boxes.
The motion is supported by politicians from six separate parties.
It states: “In video games, children are manipulated towards microtransactions and that with so-called loot boxes there is also an element of gambling.”
The motion continues: “Consumer associations from 18 European countries jointly ask for regulation of these loot boxes… and they are prohibited in Belgium.”
In 2018, the Belgian Gaming Commission ruled that loot boxes were akin to gambling and banned them from featuring in games played in the country.
Last month 20 consumer associations from 18 European countries called for a ban on the deceptive design, extra protections for minors and transactional transparency.
In Spain, a draft law has been written “regulating the random reward mechanisms” and published on the Ministry of Consumer Affairs website on 1 July.
The regulatory board will have the jurisdiction to fine any games companies offering loot boxes and found not to be complying with the new law up to €25,000 (£21,523.38).
The deadline for making contributions to the draft law in Spain is 23 July.
The UK government is reported to have looked into whether loot boxes are targeted at children, and the results will be published in the white paper review into the Gambling Act 2005 that is due out this month.