Analysis: Is Loot Boxes Gambling?

The never-ending debate has been popping up at least once every month return. Is loot boxes gambling? Some would say it is. Others would disagree. Ultimately, we can only just report what’s been written. The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched an investigation to compile evidence in stating that loot boxes in gaming are a form of gambling.

Back to Square One

If you haven’t heard about loot boxes before, there’s a chance you’ve missed out on other gambling news as well. Loot boxes are a mystery prize that you can find in popular games such as FIFA, Fortnite, and PUBG. Another thing that you can find with these games is a largely adolescent audience.

So, the big question is, are loot boxes a form of gambling? Remember, you need to buy them with real cash – which is usually done when a kid has your credit card details remembered – and can receive either the rarest cards, players’ features, or the most common garbage. More times than not, you’ll be receiving the garbage and questioning why you spent real money on it.

Similarly, winning a football jackpot shares the same amount of suspense. Although your TOTO bet may seem great before kick-off, how a match unfolds is always going to be unpredictable.

What the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Stated

It seems as though the DCMS is opting towards banning loot boxes, as they seem it unfit to have on a game. Particularly as there is certainly a resemblance to gambling.

However, they will still call for some evidence and examine gambling-like behavior and excessive spending in games. Here’s what they stated:

“This (call for more evidence) will examine, for example, the size and variation of the market, the design of mechanisms, the context in terms of other types of in-game spending, the impact on consumers and particularly young people including links to problem gambling and the effectiveness of the current statutory and voluntary regulation,”

Will the UK Do Belgian Follow Suit?

In 2019, the Belgium Government decided to ban FIFA points. FIFA Points are a form of currency that can only be bought using real money. The reason behind this was to put an end to players spending too much money on FIFA points, which would be used to purchase loot boxes.

Basically, the Belgian Government deemed these mystery boxes as an illegal game of chance. This is because a player has no idea what they are buying. Just like in many of our jackpot slots, you can never know if the next hand will be a win or loss.

Is Loot Boxes Gambling?

So, as mentioned in the first paragraph of this analysis, loot boxes can certainly be called gambling – to some. It all depends on who is answering that question and what their views are.

There has been a lot of controversy over the past couple of years when debating loot boxes. One of the best ways to moderate purchasing FIFA points and other loot boxes would be to send a confirm message to the buyer. There have been many cases reported of kids who purchase these mystery prizes without even talking to their parents beforehand. It’s better to know what you’re dealing with than not.

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