Video Game Loot Boxes Deemed Illegal Due to Belgium Gambling Laws
For those of you that don't know what loot boxes are, they are virtual boxes that give random awards to playersby either earning them through progression or by purchasing them with your own money. In a way it is like playing the lottery, it can be very beneficial for the player or very disappointing. Either way most of the gamer's around the world look at these add on items as fun and harmless. Unfortunately for the country of Belgium , that it not the case.
Belgium has declared that loot boxes, that are able to be purchased with real money, are in violation to their strict gambling legislation. Companies such as EA are being targeted for criminal law. Failure to comply in removing these loot boxes can result to a fine of 800,000 euros (nearly 1 million dollars), and up to 5 years of prison time for the publishers. Also, according to multiple statements from the country, the fine can be doubled if a huge amount of minors are involved.
The Belgium Gaming Commission investigated four video games that fall into this category; Fifa 18, Overwatch, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, and Star Wars Battlefront II. The only video game that was excluded from the case was Star Wars due to the developers removing micro transaction completely due to negative feedback from its community.
Many people around the world are hoping that these loot boxes are removed from every country. As they say that they are "taking advantage of kids with fancy and shiny in-your-face computer graphics and images". Sources say that video game companies are considering of not selling their video games in Belgium period to avoid any illegal activities.
What do you guys think? Are these game add ons bad for the community or is this just being blown out of proportion. Let me know in the comments below.
-UnderCutz
