Ferinsy (#30206) (#30206)
Just to set something straight, China actually offered some of the earliest regulation of loot boxes, they require odds % to be shown, more favorable odds with more draws, and you also can't directly buy loot boxes with real currency. You need to be over 8 to purchase loot boxes, and have a cap of spending when younger than 18.
Korea has similar regulation
Japan includes them under 'prize' legislation, giving those who wish to seek legal action an advantage against unfair practices,
As recently as February, Australia seems to be looking into making any site with gacha mechanics 18+
The biggest and best knock cracking down is within the UK, similarly looking to protect those under 18 and in particular are really against loot boxes, especially within video games industries. (They've had many spouts with EA in court) Pretty much every month the past few years they've been active on this, with a lot of studies held by them it looks like they're set to enact legislation soon, although whether it will include sites like this is hard to say.
I think Netherlands and Belgium just straight up outright has a lot of loot boxes and in-game trades banned altogether, so a lot of publishers have just stopped selling their affected games in that market entirely. nothing on websites though.
It also seems to be pretty Bipartisan in US to regulate loot boxes, and there's been rumblings but little in terms of actual legislation towards it. We mostly see the outcome of other markets like China and UK that carry over into the games we get here.
We are legitimately at the crux of change in the market here, and while no, I think generally we will always see gacha gambling in some form or another , particularly out of Japan, I can very well see international laws prohibit sale to under 18, to under 21, as it becomes more relevant and aggressive and studies on the addictive and harmful nature of them come to light. Don't get me wrong, the site wouldn't go under, but it could become 18+ or would require premium items to be non-gacha.
