A 22-month consultation has found evidence that links loot boxes in video games with problem gambling, but the UK government have decided against a ban.
The UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) made the call for evidence on loot boxes in video games in September 2020, and after posting their findings on Sunday, they have called for companies to bring in measures to keep young players safe. This outcome means that loot boxes won't fall under review of the UK's sweeping Gambling Act, but the government have called for loot box purchases to be made unavailable to all children and young people unless enabled by a guardian and for all players to have access to spending controls.
Loot boxes are a feature within video games that involve the opening a mystery box or pack, that can be obtained through the use of in-game currency or real-life money. When opened in a game like FIFA 22, in the popular Ultimate Team mode, the loot boxes or packs contain a random collection of in-game player items. Depending on the type of pack or loot box opened within FIFA Ultimate Team, the percentage chance of obtaining rare player items can change dramatically, which has seen the mechanic being compared to gambling.
