US and European gambling regulators could crack down on loot boxes



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"The fight against unauthorized third-party websites offering illegal gambling related to popular video games is a priority," said the UK's Gambling Commission. Agencies have urged the game industry and technology platforms to help eliminate these sites. The regulators also said that developers must ensure that loot boxes are not considered gambling under local laws.

"We have joined forces with video game companies to address public concerns about the risks that games of chance and some video games can pose to children," said Neil McArthur, Gambling CEO. Commission. "We encourage video game companies to work with their gambling regulatory agencies and take action now to ensure that consumers, and especially children, are protected."

As for the UK agency, loot boxes are not considered a form of gambling as long as you can not trade the virtual goods you receive for real money. The agency is keeping the issue under review last year.

However, some third-party sites allow players to buy and sell items such as: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Ultimate Team skins and players FIFA 18. A site we have found offers players the chance to add Juventus megastar Cristiano Ronaldo to their ultimate team for $ 156.

Regulators have yet to take formal action against developers, many of whom use loot boxes as a source of revenue. The decision comes after the Netherlands has banned booty boxes in some games, and Belgium has declared them an illegal form of gambling in titles such as FIFA 18, Overwatch and CS: GO. But EA continued to sell loot boxes (that is, random card packs in Ultimate Team) in FIFA 18, and he would now be under criminal investigation in Belgium. On the other hand, in a separate case from gaming regulators, Finland would also investigate loot lockers.

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