It was not long ago when we got to know that Netherlands has declared loot boxes as gambling. The latest country to support the cause is Belgium and has also declared loot boxes as gambling with fine up to 1.6 million Euros if the mentioned games don’t adjust.
Belgium Gaming Commision did some investigation and realized that the games like Overwatch, Fifa 18, and Counter Strike: Global Offensive are violating their rules. Star Wars Battlefront 2 was also investigated but it doesn’t come in violation as the game removed loot boxes at the launch of the game.
They have mentioned that the loot boxes may include characters, objects, weapons, emotions, superpowers and more which players do not know when they open the loot boxes so they bet on it and are seduced or mislead by them.
All the games mentioned above-included chance, and profit or loss the player paying to get something to be better in the game. Star Wars Battlefront 2 could be the one too but luckily they realized and removed them
For the remaining games, it’s simple that they are illegal. Peter Naessens Say:
Paying loot boxes are not an innocent part of video games that occur as a game of skill’, says director Peter Naessens. ‘Players are tempted and misled and none of the protective measures concerning gambling is applied.’
‘Mixing gambling and gaming, especially at a young age, is dangerous for mental health’, says Geens. ‘We have already taken numerous measures to protect minors and adults against the influence of gambling advertising. Then we also have to make sure that they are not confronted with games of chance when they are looking for fun in a video game. ‘
The issue has gotten serious as Competent minister Koen Geens wants to first address the gaming sectors and if not adjusted they will be fined up to 800,000 euros and five years in prison. Until now the Gaming Commission has only investigated four games and they know this problem is much bigger than this.
