We already know that the ESRB in America has stated that loot boxes in games cannot be considered gambling as those who get a box are always guaranteed something, even if it isn’t what the player wanted. Now PEGI has clarified its stance on the matter. Speaking to WCCFTech PEGI’s Operations Director Dirk Bosmans gave a statement on the issue of loot boxes.
n short, our approach is similar to that of ESRB (I think all rating boards do, USK in Germany as well). The main reason for this is that we cannot define what constitutes gambling. That is the responsibility of a national gambling commission. Our gambling content descriptor is given to games that simulate or teach gambling as it’s done in real life in casinos, racetracks, etc. If a gambling commission would state that loot boxes are a form of gambling, then we would have to adjust our criteria to that.
Essentially what is said here is that loot boxes in games can only be deemed as gambling by gambling commissions. If that were to happen then PEGI would be able to define loot boxes as gambling and rate games accordingly. Until that happens don’t expect PEGI to start putting warnings of gambling on ratings for any games that have loot boxes in them.
Source: WCCFTech
TheShepanator
As much as I’d love to see lootboxes go away (at least for gameplay items), I don’t see it happening.
One thing I could definitely see being controlled however is lootboxes with items that can be traded for real money, for instance on the steam marketplace. In that case you’re effectively gambling for a real monetary benefit.
ron_mcphatty
Steam give you money in exchange for loot? I was thinking how niche it is for anything earned in a game to retain any value. I guess paying for a trophy hunter, grinder or professional leveller upper to use your account counts, but it’s so many steps from paying to spin the wheel to see what rare bonus you get that I can’t see paid loot boxes being called gambling. But if you could sell the contents for credit, like it sounds like you can on Steam, then it potentially small cash out for big cash out, which is definitely gambling.
I’ve thought of a way round it though, they could just charge us very small amounts for individual items, like character decorations and weapon upgrades, and they could call them nano-buyings.
TheShepanator
Yeah the steam marketplace allows you to trade loot for real cash (In supported games). In PUBG for instance, most of the common loot is worth literally a few pennies, but some items are worth literally a hundred quid and now unobtainable items going for several hundred!!
These are all totally cosmetic items too
Starman
If it’s not gambling because you are guaranteed something then surely all ladbrokes, betfair etc need to do is give away something with all losing bets, even if it’s a crappy discount voucher for Argos?!
Lieutenant Fatman
It does sound like a dangerous loophole. Surprising that more haven’t exploited this before now.
TheShepanator
Nah thats not how it works. A discount voucher for argos and a £100 cash prize have very obviously different monetary value, and even if you’re guaranteed to win something you’re still gambling to get the objectively more valuable prize.
The difference with lootboxes is that the contents have no objective value. You can subjectively say that a gold ranked star card is better than a bronze one but as far as the law is concerned they have the exact same real monetary value: the price of the lootbox. So it’s not real gambling, it’s the equivalent of those lucky dip bags you could play at primary school disco. Pay a penny and take something out of the blind bag, even if you’re jealous that your friend got a drumstick when you got a refresher they still have the exact same monetary value, so it’s not gambling. (at least as the law sees it)
Lieutenant Fatman
I expect the lines will blur more and more as publisher’s greed increases. For example, combine Diablo 3’s auction house with purchased loot boxes and they will struggle to justify their stance convincingly.
Starman
I think it’s only a matter of time that they are classed as gambling though.