UK Government Comments on Loot Boxes in Video Games
Whereas the United States has relied on public opinion to shift video game developers away from loot boxes and in-game gambling reward systems, the United Kingdom and parts of Europe have continued to evaluate taking more direct steps toward regulation. Despite concluding that loot boxes are associated with «gambling, mental health, financial, and problem gaming-related harms,» the UK has taken no legal step forward. Its next step, it seems, is to pursue non-legal efforts to limit loot boxes.
In a statement issued by UK culture secretary Nadine Dorries of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Dorries says that the government wants to «stop children going on spending sprees online without parental consents.» Further, she says specifically that she's referring to behavior, «spurred on by in-game purchases like loot-boxes.» But, again, no direct action is being taken. Instead, Dorries says, «Games companies and platforms need to do more to ensure that controls and age restrictions are applied.» In other words, Dorries is calling for self-regulation within the gaming industry.
74% of Gamers Feel That Video Game Loot Boxes Are Gambling
To potentially help the industry move in the correct direction, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is planning to create a working group between regulatory bodies, platform holders, and game developers. The hope is that this group will work together to establish new standards within itself that will limit loot box access to children. No specific policies or goals were mentioned as aims for this group. It's unclear if there are any expectations at all.
Skepticism regarding the direction of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is understandably high.
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