Tag Archives: loot boxes

GGL begins review of Loot Box laws and protections

GGL

Glücksspielbehörde (GGL), the Federal Gambling Authority of Germany, has initiated its legal review of loot boxes and in-game video purchases. In its evaluation, GGL stated its support for the current initiatives aimed at effectively regulating loot boxes to protect children and youth in Germany. The specifics of loot box reward mechanisms and related activities like skin betting are under scrutiny …

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EPIC: Loot box ‘gambling mechanisms’ still present in EA Sports’ FC 24

‘Step in the right direction’: EPIC praises Ukie’s loot box guidance

The consumer protection challenges of loot boxes remain present in EA Sports’ rebranded flagship football title, EPIC Risk Management has asserted. EA Sports FC 24 is the new incarnation of the long-running FIFA franchise, rebranded after EA Sports failed to agree terms with  the global governing body of association football. The presence of loot boxes in video games has been …

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 EA wins long-standing Loot Box drama against Dutch KSA 

SBC News  EA wins long-standing Loot Box drama against Dutch KSA 

Raad Van State – The Netherlands’ State Council – has overruled Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit’s (KSA) penalty of EA Games, which judged that ‘loot boxes’ offered by its FIFA football game could be classified as games of chance reward. FIFA Games had appealed a previous judgement sanctioned by a Hague Commercial Court that had sided with KSA’s original judgement that …

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ASA: CAP Code remit can be applied to video in-game purchases

SBC News ASA: CAP Code remit can be applied to video in-game purchases

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has published guidance on how gaming and media stakeholders should manage and monitor in-game purchases and player incentives.     CAP guidance forms part of a 2020 consultation led by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which is charged with ensuring that audiences are better protected and informed on in-game purchases and engagements. The consultation was launched …

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GambleAware cites urgent policies to govern loot box engagements

SBC News GambleAware cites urgent policies to govern loot box engagements

GambleAware has called for greater regulatory scrutiny of video game loot boxes, following research commissioned by the charity, consolidating the ‘psychological similarities between gambling and gaming.’ The charity funded a report completed by the University of Plymouth and the University of Wolverhampton, exploring the links between loot boxes and problem gambling and which demographics were more likely to engage with …

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Spain launches public consultation on tricky loot box judgement

SBC News Spain launches public consultation on tricky loot box judgement

Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has launched a public consultation seeking guidance on how to ‘modify the Gaming Law’ to include loot boxes as a gambling vertical.  The consultation has been launched with the primary focus of updating Spain’s gambling laws to allow regulatory agencies to judge consumer interactions on in-game purchases and incentives that require a financial transaction. An …

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ASA issues final reminder on ‘loot box advertising’ consultation 

SBC News ASA issues final reminder on ‘loot box advertising’ consultation 

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has reminded UK stakeholders that its ‘consultation phase’ requiring evidence on ‘advertising of loot boxes and other in-game purchases’ will close next week on Thursday 28 January.  The UK advertising standards body launched its consultation back in November, following concerns raised by government ‘select committees’ on elements of loot boxes, highlighting in-game purchases. In its …

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DGOJ calls for loot boxes to be reclassified as gambling products

SBC News DGOJ calls for loot boxes to be reclassified as gambling products

Mikel Arana, Director-General of Spain’s DGOJ, has confirmed that the regulatory agency has advised the government to introduce changes to the ‘Gaming Law’ in order to reclassify ‘loot boxes as games of chance’. The DGOJ’s leader urged Congress to support the initiative yesterday, stating that the government will launch a public consultation before the end of the year, aiming for …

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EA stands ground as Dutch KSA wins ‘game packs’ judgement

SBC News EA stands ground as Dutch KSA wins ‘game packs’ judgement

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands’ regulatory authority for gambling, has re-issued a €5 million penalty alongside its ‘cease and desist’ order to Electronic Arts (EA) European subsidiaries.  The charge relates to a 2019 enforcement sanctioned by KSA on ‘Electronic Arts Inc’ and ‘EA Swiss Sàrl’ stating that the video games publisher had violated Dutch gambling laws offering ‘games of chance’ through …

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Winning Post – Flip-flopping Number 10 wants control of Gambling Act reforms

SBC News Winning Post – Flip-flopping Number 10 wants control of Gambling Act reforms

Regulus Partners observes odd Downing Street movements, as PM Boris Johnson seeks direct control of UK gambling reforms. Facing a daunting end-of-year schedule, ensuring that the UK economy can withstand a COVID-19 winter and Brexit fallout… Regulus asks why is Boris picking on gambling? UK: in Parliament – Casinos reel from ‘curfew’ as Johnson preaches morality “As flies to wanton …

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