Last week, the Netherlands also decided that loot boxes in some games were essentially gambling and called for publishers to remove them by mid-June, while countries like the UK and New Zealand have declared that loot boxes aren't gambling. If children are involved, those punishments could be doubled. In a statement, Minister of Justice Koen Geens said that if loot boxes in the aforementioned games aren't removed, their publishers could be subject to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to €800,000 (approximately $974,926). While Star Wars Battlefront II was also part of the Belgian government's investigation, EA's removal of the game's loot boxes kept it from bumping up against the country's legislation. Specifically, FIFA 18, Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive were found to be in violation. In some cases, the items inside a loot box can enhance the player's gameplay, creating an added incentive to spend real money to acquire a digital item faster.Officials in Belgium have determined that loot boxes violate the country's gambling laws and if publishers don't remove them from their games, they face jail time and fines.

The items inside each virtual box are randomized, with odds of encountering each set by the developer - some especially rare items come with really long odds. Loot boxes are packages containing digital items for use in-game, and that can earned by playing or by purchase. 'Concerns in this area have manifested themselves in controversies relating to skin betting, loot boxes, social casino gaming and the use of gambling themed content within video games available to children.' 'We are increasingly concerned with the risks being posed by the blurring of lines between gambling and other forms of digital entertainment such as video gaming,' the statement reads. The Gambling Regulators European Forum released a joint statement signed by regulators from 15 European countries and the Washington State Gambling Commission on September 17, expressing concern that the prize systems in some high-profile games are tantamount to gambling. The video gaming industry continue to come under fire for including 'loot boxes' and other randomized content for purchase in recent titles. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.

Belgium says loot boxes gambling