Loot boxes in three video games in violation of gambling legislation (Netherlands)

Superman0X

Lets start with the link:

https://www.koengeens.be/news/2018/04/25/loot-boxen-in-drie-videogames-in-strijd-met-kansspelwetgeving

You can use Google translate to read.

Here is the key info:

The Gaming Commission now judges that this is at least three video games in violation of the gambling legislation. 'An interview with the sector is imminent. It is often children who come into contact with such systems and we can not allow that, 'says Minister of Justice Geens.

In the case of FIFA 18, Overwatch and Counter Strike: Global Offensive, the Gaming Commission considers that the system of loot boxes is a game of chance that is subject to Belgian gaming law

The games with paid loot boxes, as currently offered in our country, are therefore in violation of the gaming legislation and can be dealt with under criminal law. The loot boxes must therefore also be removed. If that does not happen, the operators risk a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to 800,000 euros. When minors are involved, those punishments can be doubled.

There is a bit more there, but this is the key info.

Dvora

i hope it spreads, though likely it will just be something governments look at as something new to tax and get a piece of the pie rather than shut down.

Hariken

Dvora said:

i hope it spreads, though likely it will just be something governments look at as something new to tax and get a piece of the pie rather than shut down.

In the U.S. i can see video game lobbyist handing out money to congressmen to stop it here.

Tiller

Hariken said:

Dvora said:

i hope it spreads, though likely it will just be something governments look at as something new to tax and get a piece of the pie rather than shut down.

In the U.S. i can see video game lobbyist handing out money to congressmen to stop it here.

.and free games and consoles to their kids. Pretty much how it all will play out.

Kyleran

Hariken said:

Dvora said:

i hope it spreads, though likely it will just be something governments look at as something new to tax and get a piece of the pie rather than shut down.

In the U.S. i can see video game lobbyist handing out money to congressmen to stop it here.

Here in the US we are too busy fighting the war on drugs and sex to go after loot boxes. 

SBFord

https://www.mmorpg.com/news/belgiums-gaming-commission-finds-loot-boxes-illegal-seeks-removal-1000048226

Theocritus

Hey a link from a poster on his first post! How can I not click that!