As we have previously
reported, as loot boxes have become increasingly popular in
high-profile video games, they have come under greater legal
scrutiny. Several jurisdictions have indicated they are not illegal
gambling, but other jurisdictions have found some implementations
to be illegal gambling. Even in the jurisdictions where loot boxes
are not deemed gambling, regulators have raised concerns about
whether loot boxes raise other issues. One alleged concern is the
potential impact on children and the potentially addictive nature
of loot boxes, though little, if any, hard evidence to date
supports this.
In the U.S., these issues were recently raised in a November 27,
2018, Congressional oversight committee hearing. During this hearing, Senator Maggie
Hassan (D-N.H.) described loot boxes as "endemic in the video
game industry," adding that "children may be particularly
susceptible to engaging with these in-game purchases, which are
often considered integral
