The government has formally responded to the 2020 call and does not believe there is a need to change the law on loot boxes, which are already banned in Belgium and are likely to be heading in that direction in the Netherlands.

The UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not see the need to regulate loot boxes in video games. It would instead encourage the gaming industry to self-regulate. It means that the country’s Gambling Act does not cover loot boxes. However, some more guidelines follow the government’s position: all players should have access to spending controls and transparent information. The industry should give researchers better access to data to gather better evidence and research to inform future regulations.

In her foreword to the 32,000-word report, DCMS Secretary of State Nadine Dorries MP said, “Our view is that it would be premature to take legislative action without first pursuing enhanced industry-led measures to deliver protections for children and young people and all players. We want to mobilise the industry’s creativity, innovation and technical expertise to deliver tangible progress, improving at pace protections. We will not hesitate to consider a legislative change if this does not happen.”

However, the report does not address whether loot boxes encourage addictive behaviour. Still, it does acknowledge that the harms may be those associated with gambling and that research suggests that they may be a gateway to further problematic (and legally recognised!) gambling. Evidence gathering has found a link between loot boxes and harm, but there has been no finding of a causative link…

UKIE, the UK’s gaming industry body, has welcomed the report and is willing to work with the government. The group includes industry, academic and third sector partners and is preparing further action to reduce the risk of harm to children. The report also mentions UKIE’s commitment to spend £1 million over several years, highlighting parenting and spending controls.

In other words, they don’t care.

Source: PCGamer