The US looks into loot boxes and underage gambling

After a major controversy sparked in Europe around child gambling, the Federal Trade Commission will assess games’ loot boxes.

US.- Belgian regulators sparked a major debate around what is or isn’t gambling as they prohibited video games’ loot boxes for considering they were promoting child gambling. That measure set off a major debate all across the world, which has now reached the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as it announced it will look to remove loot boxes as well and investigate child gambling.

“Loot boxes are now endemic in the video games industry and are present in everything from casual smartphone games to the newest, high budget releases,” said the measure’s promoter, Senator Maggie Hassan, and added: “Loot boxes will represent a US$50 billion industry by the year 2022.”

“It’s time for the FTC to investigate these mechanisms to ensure that children are being adequately protected,” Senator Hassan asserted and called to educate parents about gambling and the presence of potential gambling in videogames.

However, the gaming industry defended loot boxes and the Entertainment Software Association told gaming website Polygon: “Loot boxes are one way that players can enhance the experience that video games offer. Contrary to assertions, loot boxes are not gambling.

“They have no real-world value, players always receive something that enhances their experience, and they are entirely optional to purchase. They can enhance the experience for those who choose to use them, but have no impact on those who do not.”