GambleAware has called on the new UK government to consider legislation regarding the use of loot boxes in video games to provide greater protection for children and young people.
Last week, the current government released findings from a request for evidence initiated in September 2020 to leverage input on how best to address in-game features.
Loot boxes allow players to purchase boxes with real money. This gives you access to random items such as power-ups to give you a competitive edge in the game. You can also purchase cosmetic items such as virtual clothing.
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) failed to ban loot boxes outright, but called on game developers to take greater action to protect players.
In response to the white paper, Gamble Aware said it was encouraged to see the government aware of the risks associated with loot boxes. We pointed out that 40% of children who play video games use loot boxes. This is believed to have led to the normalization of activities such as gambling.
However, the new British government, which will be announced shortly after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation, added that legislative measures regarding their use should be considered, especially with regard to restricting access to children and adolescents.
“Surveys show that loot boxes are psychologically similar to gambling, so better protection can prevent future gambling-related harm,” said a charity.
“Gambling is part of the daily life of children and young people, and children are believed to be more vulnerable to gambling harm, both as a result of their own participation and the gambling of others.
“In the UK, there are approximately 55,000 children between the ages of 11 and 16 who have been harmed by gambling, and a further 85,000 are estimated to be at risk. We believe more needs to be done.
“We look forward to the publication of the Video Games Research Framework later this year, which will guide and inform the law to protect children and adolescents from the gambling-related harms of video games. I hope. “
Answers came after last week when British children’s commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza opposed video game loot boxes, considered them “inappropriate” and asked them to be included in the definition of British gambling law. It was sent.
De Souza said that Article 6 of the Gambling Act needs to be extended to include loot boxes and that they need to be regulated.
