Loot boxes, a controversial video game content, could be reclassified as gambling due to the high number of teenagers who approach this content every year.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will launch this week an invitation to present documentation regarding the specific characteristics of the Loot boxes that are available in many games, including those of the FIFA football franchise.
This procedure was taken into consideration as the mechanisms of the loot boxes, very similar to those present in gambling games, could determine an altered habit in adolescents which could then lead to a real dependence in future life as adults.
The loot boxes allow players to purchase content using money and then get rewards to use within the games without knowing what they will receive first.
If ministers were to decide to reclassify the loot boxes, the decision would have a devastating impact on game developers, who could be forced to withdraw some titles or reorganize them so that they can be sold to people under 18.
Although Loot Boxes carry an element of probability, they are not covered by existing gambling legislation – and therefore are not regulated by the Gambling Commission – because “won” items are not considered to be monetary assets.
Potrebbero Interessarti
However, last year the DCMS select committee received evidence that loot box winnings can be easily exchanged for cash on third party websites, which will facilitate profit through purchases made by “problematic” players.
Loot Boxes are already considered gambling products in some countries including Belgium, where some companies have had to modify their products and in some cases have even had to withdraw their games from the market.
England Commissioner for Children, Anne Longfield, expressed concern about the amount of money children are spending and the danger that they will continue to spend more and more to get the content they want, like a gambler who continues to play without setting a limit just to try to win back the money already lost.
And what do you think of it? Is the ultimate team mode actually gambling or not? Would you make changes or would you leave it like this?
FIFA 21 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch and in December 4th for the Next Gen PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X platforms Keep on following us also through our social Facebook and Twitter for other news and information.
