Mood against loot boxes is growing in the Netherlands – Six parties for ban

In the Netherlands, six political parties are already in favor of a ban on loot boxes in video games. A draft law is already on its way.

Law could be further tightened

The request was first made ResetEra posted and still has a little way to go as it has yet to pass through the country’s Senate. The ban has been in good shape so far, because the draft has received support from many quarters. If the bill becomes law, no random purchases will be allowed in video games.

A major argument in favor of the draft law is the danger to children. According to the draft, these are “manipulated in video games to carry out microtransactions”. In general, loot boxes are referred to here as a “form of gambling”. It goes on to say that these payments “can get children hooked and burden their families with unexpected bills for these transactions.”

But the voices against the loot boxes are not only getting louder in the Netherlands. Just last month, 20 consumer groups from 18 European countries started an action, urging authorities to enact regulations on loot boxes while putting pressure on developers. The consumer groups are calling for clear measures, such as “a ban on fraudulent designs, additional protections for minors and transparency in transactions”.

In fiscal year 2021, Electronic Arts, a studio heavily criticized for its microtransactions, made about €1.55 billion from microtransactions in FIFA Ultimate Team. The company is certainly reluctant to do without this worthwhile business model. In Belgium, this practice was already labeled gambling in 2018 and will be prosecuted.

In the Netherlands, a clear distinction must currently be made between gambling and video games. Built-in gambling in games is therefore illegal. If the new law is waved through by the Senate, even this loophole will no longer exist. No wonder Blizzard didn’t release Diablo Immortal in Belgium or the Netherlands.