After months of back and forth about whether or not loot boxes are gambling, the Dutch Gaming Authority has determined that loot boxes in ten games do violate its Betting and Gaming Act and are, in fact, gambling. According to Eurogamer, the games were not specifically named, though NOS, a Dutch broadcaster, revealed that Rocket League, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, FIFA 18, and DOTA 2 made the list.
Companies owning the games in question have until mid-June to make adjustments to their loot boxes to take out "addiction-sensitive" components such as "almost winning" effects, visual effects and / or the ability to repeatedly open loot boxes in a short period of time. If not, a gambling license may need to be acquired in order for the games to operate in-country or face bans or fines if found out of compliance with the findings.
"Offering this type of game of chance to Dutch players without a license is prohibited." the Dutch Gaming Authority wrote.
Read the full details here and then head to this MMORPG.com thread to check out recent comments.
Other countries are also on the trail of loot boxes including the United States and Great Britain.
What do you think?
