EA Shrugs Off Tiny FIFA Ultimate Team Gambling Fine Issued by Austrian Court | Push Square
Electronic Arts will not be contesting the $11.7k USD (€10.8k, £9.2k) fine it got hit with after an Austrian court ruled that FIFA's loot boxes violate the nation's gambling laws. In 2023, after covering all operating expenses, EA reported a net income of $802 million and total assets amounting to $13.4 billion.
Sony got wrangled into the affair back in March and was ordered to pay back affected players, as the loot boxes were purchased through the PlayStation Store (although it still has the opportunity to appeal).
A spokesperson for EA explained the reasoning to GameIndustry.biz, stating: «We disagree with the court's decision and believe it got both the facts and law wrong in this case. While we've decided not to appeal this narrow decision, which has no broader legal impact beyond this individual claim, we are confident that our games do not constitute gambling and that we are in full compliance with local laws.»
In Austria, courts rule on individual cases, which then have no bearing on subsequent cases, and EA has previously won similar cases in the country.
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Result
Red cards, all round
What do you think of this hefty financial burden placed on publisher EA? Let us know in the comments section below.
Khayl Adam is the second best video game journalist Australia has ever produced, and his ambitions of world domination have (thus far) been curbed by the twin siren songs of strategy games and CRPGs. He has always felt an affinity for the noble dachshund, the best kind of dog.
Well that fine is a joke why even bother. Bringing gambling to kids and this is the effect? Wow Australia this is just sad.
@Flaming_Kaiser it’s actually Austria. Not Australia
My brain’s wired in a specific way that I have to be
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