In Northern Ireland, there have been calls to tighten the regulation of video games with loot boxes
The cross-party group in the Northern Ireland Assembly on gambling harm has called for stricter controls on video games that include loot boxes and other gambling mechanics. It believes these are harmful to players' mental health.
Loot boxes in Golf Clash
The group reached this conclusion following a study conducted from December 2022 to January 2024.
The group proposed legislation that would empower the Northern Ireland authorities to regulate "the presence of gambling mechanics in video games, their structural characteristics, and availability." It wants gaming companies to be more transparent about loot boxes. For example, ensuring that players have the chance to obtain a specific item from a loot box after a certain amount is spent.
The group also suggested banning minors from playing free-to-play games in the social casino genre.
