The National Association for the Defense of Children and Adolescents (ANCED) has initiated legal actions against several major companies for incorporating loot box features into their video games. The target list includes Brazilian branches of Activision Blizzard, EA Games, Nintendo, Riot Games, Ubisoft, and Valve Corporation. Additionally, the lawsuits, submitted to the District Court for Children and Youth in the Distrito Federal, also involve platform providers such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Sony, which host these games.
In total, seven lawsuits are being pursued, demanding a complete ban on loot boxes and BRL19.5bn (£2.45bn/€2.83bn/$3.41bn) in damages for both collective and individual moral harm. ANCED contends that these loot boxes represent a form of gambling under Brazilian law, likening their mechanics to games of roulette and traditional casino offerings.
The association criticized the audiovisual effects tied to loot box openings—like vibrant animations and distinct sound effects—that can create a rewarding sensation, which they argue is particularly enticing to children and adolescents. ANCED highlighted regulatory actions in countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, where loot boxes have been deemed an “abusive practice.”
In 2018, Belgium’s Gaming Commission determined that loot boxes in video games violated local gambling laws. Furthermore, in October of the previous year, EA was mandated to eliminate loot boxes from its popular FIFA football simulation game in the Netherlands. Other regions, including the UK, Sweden, and recently Spain, are also contemplating bans on these in-game purchasing mechanisms.
Last year, Apple found itself embroiled in a lawsuit after allegations arose that it was complicit in promoting gambling to children by allowing games with loot box features on its App Store.
