Loot boxes are a contentious subject for many EU countries. Essentially viewed as a form of gambling, many games that use loot box mechanics as rewards have been reclassified and faced backlash across the European gaming market. As the use of these techniques matures, more countries across the EU are enforcing harsher regulations on the use of loot boxes and similar gamification techniques.
You might know that the as one of the foremost areas of consumer protection in the world, the EU has many markets that see heavy regulation for the benefit of consumers. The gaming market is one that has seen widespread adoption and discussion worldwide. In particular, the use by many modern games of casino-like techniques to capture the attention of players, such as loot boxes.
While gambling activities are legal and regulated in many European countries, disguising gambling mechanics in games to try and capture the interest of players is a contentious issue that many governments look harshly on. Interestingly, the existence of online casino platforms that, as first reported by BonusBezDepozytu.org, offer no deposit bonuses and provide gambling services to consumers is welcome in many countries across the EU. The consumer protection agencies and the governments of some EU countries take issue with the disguising of gambling activities and dodging the regulatory environments set up to protect consumers.
2025 is seeing some governments, frustrated by an increasing proliferation of loot box mechanics, introduce harsher regulations to combat them and protect consumers.
What are Loot Box Mechanics, and Why are They so Maligned?
We’re sure that you have encountered some of these loot box mechanics in the past. The cliff notes version is that these mechanics are designed in such a way as to get a psychological hook into players. They offer the possibility of expensive or rare rewards, with no guarantee. Often, loot box mechanics require some form of purchase from players and will give them in-game cosmetics or items in return.
Some games use loot box mechanics that players can acquire simply by playing or as a function of the gameplay loop, and these games are not usually the cause of any ire from government regulatory bodies. It is when games demand that players spend real money to acquire a random item, which is usually next to worthless, that regulatory bodies see that they have a need to step in.
The psychological probability and reward system that loot packing containers make use of is the very same one that’s triggered by slot machine gameplay. Due to this, many international locations within the EU and elsewhere think about these loot field mechanics to be playing, and thus, should be regulated and labelled as such. Particularly in circumstances the place sport builders deliberately lead gamers in the direction of wanting to purchase loot packing containers, shopper safety teams have raised issues.
There may be some excellent news we are able to share with you on this entrance. Famously, some video games like Star Wars Battlefront 2 had loot field mechanics, however have since eliminated them as a consequence of backlash, resulting in a a lot more healthy in-game expertise for gamers. Different video games function randomness closely as a side of gameplay, however with out calls for for fixed inputs of gamers’ cash, the hazard these video games supply is minimal.
So Which International locations Have the Harshest Rules on Loot Containers?
We have talked about broadly that some EU international locations have sturdy regulatory environments right here, however you most likely want to know precisely which of them. In no explicit order, the next international locations have the strongest stances on loot field regulation:
Belgium
In some ways, Belgium was the front-runner for a lot of this regulation. They first categorized loot packing containers as ‘video games of probability’ in 2018 and demanded that they be topic to Belgian playing legal guidelines. As of 2025, an Antwerp Court decision has positioned loot packing containers purchased for actual cash as being illegal.
Netherlands
Equally to Belgium, the Netherlands considers loot packing containers purchased with actual cash that provide in-game developments to be illegal. Any video games with loot packing containers as a purchase order possibility should adjust to different playing legal guidelines within the nation. Notably, any video games which might be designed for youngsters should include no loot packing containers in any way.
France
In France, sport builders should embody safety measures that stop minors from with the ability to buy loot packing containers with out parental consent and an grownup account holder’s verification. In any other case, they aren’t thought of to be playing actions.
Germany
Germany has instituted laws that state that video games with loot packing containers should not solely clearly state the existence of loot packing containers and embody a playing warning, however loot packing containers should embody a likelihood chart for what may be received and the way doubtless every merchandise is.
Austria and Spain
Equally to France, Austria and Spain have applied protections geared toward separating loot field mechanics from gamers below 18.
What May the Future Maintain?
It needs to be as clear to you as it’s to us that this regulatory atmosphere can solely transfer in a single path. These laws will solely develop into extra strict as information concerning the insidious draw of loot packing containers turns into extra commonplace.
For sport builders, which means that they have to adapt and supply a good atmosphere to gamers, as video games like Star Wars Battlefront 2 have, or they’ll face more and more harsh fines and potential bans. Sensible sport builders, comparable to these in control of Call of Duty, are attempting to remain forward of the regulatory motion by offering pretty much as good an atmosphere to gamers as they will, whereas nonetheless together with options to seize gamers’ consideration.
For gamers such as you, these laws imply a fairer and safer gaming atmosphere! You will not have to fret about individuals who can merely purchase their approach to victory by buying 100s of loot packing containers for possibilities at sturdy gadgets, and you will not really feel the temptation to get ‘only one extra’ roll of the cube to accumulate that fairly new character or weapon pores and skin.
Because the gaming trade adapts to the regulatory atmosphere of the EU, it’s doubtless that we’ll see ripples in different gaming markets worldwide. We should always count on new trade requirements, each when it comes to shopper safety and within the ways in which video games attempt to seize gamers’ consideration.
