The regulation of video games’ loot boxes and their categorisation as a form of gambling or not is among the issues that are set to be reviewed by the gambling authority in Ireland. Unfortunately, no definite schedule for the planned regulator to be established has been provided so far.
Apart from that, there are no plans to immediately regulate so-called in-game purchases of loot boxes in Ireland, even though some European countries have already taken steps towards stricter regulation of the controversial issue.
According to opponents of in-game items, millions of children on a global scale have access to loot boxes offered in video games. Campaigners say that such items are a form of gambling that definitely needs to be regulated by the Irish authorities.
The majority of video games contain special in-game items, which are often called loot boxes and contain additional and special content that a player can receive by paying for it with real money. The problem with them comes from the fact that players are not actually aware of what they will get before purchasing the item and “opening” the loot box. Such special in-game items are common in popular video games, including Fortnite and FIFA.
Ireland Does Not Even Have Up-to-Date Gambling Laws
As mentioned above, some European countries have already taken steps to tackle the use of loot boxes and the micro-transactions associated with them in video games.
In October, a Netherlands court issued a ruling that upheld a previous decision made by the gambling regulatory body, under which a fine of up to €10 million could be faced by EA, the makers of one of the most popular video games among young players – FIFA. At the time, the company shared its intention to take the court’s decision to further appeal.
In other countries, such as Belgium, some paid-for loot boxes in video games have been constituted as a form of gambling under the existing legislation.
Unfortunately, the Irish Government has so far been very slow in taking adequate measures to regulate the area that needs further clarification and some action. Campaigners have long blamed the authorities for leaving the legislative and regulatory framework of the country in a state that makes Irish laws practically unsuitable to provide regulation that is up to date with online gambling’s recent growth in popularity. The Fianna Fáil political party has previously called for action to tackle what is being claimed as the negative impact of loot boxes that can be found in video games.
The Irish Government’s efforts to ensure new and more up-to-date regulation for the local gambling industry date back to 2013. According to campaigners, one of the most serious failures of the Government is the fact that a regulator of the gambling industry has not been created yet. Still, a spokesperson for the country’s Department of Justice reminded that initial funding of €100,000 for the gambling regulatory body was provided in Budget 2020, while a further €100,000 has been included as additional funding in Budget 2021.
- Author
Daniel Williams
