Another country is taking a firm stand against one of the most controversial forms of gambling in the gaming industry, as loot boxes are increasingly considered nothing less than gambling. As part of a broader effort to protect minors online, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed a law banning the use of loot boxes for anyone under the age of 18. The legislation will officially take effect in March.
Under the new law, once it comes into force in six months, any game containing loot boxes will automatically receive an 18+ age rating. Titles aimed at younger audiences will no longer be allowed to include these mechanics at all.
This decision is the latest move by governments worldwide to tighten regulations around gambling-like features in video games. In 2023, the Dutch government proposed a complete ban on loot boxes, while Belgium outlawed them as far back as 2018, which led to the discontinuation of FIFA Points sales in the region. Since then, Electronic Arts has been releasing its annual football title under the name EA Sports FC. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against game publishers over whether loot boxes legally qualify as gambling. Although some court rulings have determined they do not, they remain one of the hottest debated aspects of live-service gaming.
It remains to be seen how strictly the new Brazilian law will be enforced and how developers will respond once it takes effect in March. It’s likely that even before that happens, companies will start lobbying for changes to the law — for instance, to prevent EA Sports FC from receiving an 18+ rating in Brazil while being considered suitable for children elsewhere. Currently, minors can still easily access EA Sports FC 26, although the Ultimate Team mode is still classified as a form of gambling.
If the ban proves effective, it could fundamentally reshape one of the most controversial debates in the gaming industry and pave the way for similar legislation worldwide, following Brazil’s lead.
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