Last week, the government released findings from a call for evidence initiated in September 2020 to gather input on addressing in-game features. Loot boxes enable players to spend real money for randomized items, including power-ups and cosmetic upgrades. While the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) refrained from banning loot boxes outright, it urged game developers to enhance protections for players.
GambleAware expressed encouragement over the government's acknowledgment of the risks attached to loot boxes. The charity highlighted that 40% of child gamers engage with loot boxes, which they believe normalizes gambling-like behaviors. They emphasized the need for the incoming UK government, expected to be announced soon after Boris Johnson's resignation, to consider legislation focused on limiting access for children and teenagers.
GambleAware stated, “Research has shown that loot boxes are psychologically akin to gambling, and therefore more adequate protection would help to prevent future gambling related harms.” It continued, “Gambling is a part of children and young people’s daily lives, and children are thought to be more vulnerable to gambling harm, both as a result of someone else’s gambling and their own participation.” According to the National Audit Office, approximately 55,000 children aged 11 to 16 in the UK experience gambling harms, with an additional 85,000 estimated to be at risk. GambleAware reiterated the importance of implementing measures to safeguard youth from these harms.
The charity also looks forward to the release of the Video Games Research Framework later this year, which it hopes will inform protective legislation regarding gambling-related harms in video games.
This response follows comments from Dame Rachel de Souza, the UK Children's Commissioner, who criticized loot boxes as “inappropriate” and advocated for their inclusion in the definition of gambling within the UK Gambling Act. De Souza suggested that clause six of the Act should be broadened to encompass loot boxes, thus subjecting them to regulatory oversight.
