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Belgium declares lootboxes as "gambling" and seeks to ban them in Europe
Jim Raynor
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Edit: guess it's a double post, sorry, thread can be closed/deleted by Shan -> https://forum.disruptorbeam.com/stt/discussion/1813/is-this-the-end-of-best-chance-packs-or-loot-boxes-packs-in-europe
Some interesting news from the lootboxes discussion which could also affect STT.
Belgium's Gaming Commission investigated lootboxes to decide if they should be considered as gambling or not and their conclusion is "yes, they are gambling" and Belgium's Minister of Justice also weighted in and stated "Mixing gambling and gaming, especially at a young age, is dangerous for the mental health of the child.". They want to outright ban ingame purchases for which the purchaser doesn't exactly know what he is purchasing and they are going to start to bring it to the EU level to get an EU wide legislation.
http://www.pcgamer.com/belgium-says-loot-boxes-are-gambling-wants-them-banned-in-europe/?utm_content=buffere78bc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=buffer-pcgamertw
Knowing politcal processes in the EU, it surely will take some time (at least a year, likely even longer) before this legislative initiative could turn into actual law. I doubt that it will end up in any kind of general bans (some heavy lobbyism incoming), but I assume it could end up in the "Chinese way" compromise where the odds have to be disclosed. But since they play the "we have to protect children" card, the chances are pretty high that there will be some sort of regulatory outcome. I guess EA took it finally into the mainstream politics.
In my personal opinion bans would be too much. If people are willing to spend money, they should be able. But some regulation, especially regarding the odds, is very welcome to give players the position to make informed decisions. "Best chance" packs anyone?
Some interesting news from the lootboxes discussion which could also affect STT.
Belgium's Gaming Commission investigated lootboxes to decide if they should be considered as gambling or not and their conclusion is "yes, they are gambling" and Belgium's Minister of Justice also weighted in and stated "Mixing gambling and gaming, especially at a young age, is dangerous for the mental health of the child.". They want to outright ban ingame purchases for which the purchaser doesn't exactly know what he is purchasing and they are going to start to bring it to the EU level to get an EU wide legislation.
http://www.pcgamer.com/belgium-says-loot-boxes-are-gambling-wants-them-banned-in-europe/?utm_content=buffere78bc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=buffer-pcgamertw
Knowing politcal processes in the EU, it surely will take some time (at least a year, likely even longer) before this legislative initiative could turn into actual law. I doubt that it will end up in any kind of general bans (some heavy lobbyism incoming), but I assume it could end up in the "Chinese way" compromise where the odds have to be disclosed. But since they play the "we have to protect children" card, the chances are pretty high that there will be some sort of regulatory outcome. I guess EA took it finally into the mainstream politics.
In my personal opinion bans would be too much. If people are willing to spend money, they should be able. But some regulation, especially regarding the odds, is very welcome to give players the position to make informed decisions. "Best chance" packs anyone?
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At least in Germany the current legal definition of gambling is that you have to be able to win money/play for money. That's why virtual goods can't fulfil the definition of gambling (yet), they are no real money nor are they worth any real money.