A team of gambling regulators from fifteen European nations and one US state have signed on to "work together to address the risks created by the blurring of lines between gaming and gambling" according to the UK's Gambling Commission. EU nations include Latvia, Czech Republic, Isle of Man, France, Spain, Malta, Jersey, Gibraltar, Ireland, Portugal, Norway, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Poland, and Austria. They are joined by a representative from the state of Washington.
The commission came together after regulators identified "a number of common principles including the need for gambling to be regulated to ensure high standards of integrity, fairness and consumer protection, in particular in relation to children".
Members are "increasingly concerned with the risks being posed by the blurring of lines between gambling and other forms of digital entertainment such as video gaming. Concerns in this area have manifested themselves in controversies relating to skin betting, loot boxes, social casino gaming and the use of gambling themed content within video games available to children."
The commission is looking for companies "whose platforms or games are prompting concern to engage with [gambling] regulatory authorities to develop possible solutions" the missive reads, though no dates are currently available when these meetings may occur.
The issue of loot boxes and gambling has been in the news frequently over the last year, with both national and state governments working to define the role, if any, that loot boxes play in promoting gambling with players.
Check out the full letter on the UK Gambling Commission's site.
Via IGN
