ESA Expresses Discontent with Recommendation of the UK’s DCMS to Regulate Loot Boxes Under Gambling Act

Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has expressed discontent with the recommendation of the UK’s Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to regulate loot boxes under the Gambling laws.

Following an investigation on loot boxes, the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) parliamentary committee termed loot boxes as gambling and called for immediate measures to protect the children by regulating them under gambling laws.

In a statement, the ESA said that they take seriously the issues raised in the UK Parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee report but strongly disagree with its findings.

“As demonstrated by the recent announcement of policies regarding the disclosure of the relative rarity or probability of obtaining virtual items in paid loot boxes, as well as the robust parental controls that empower parents to control in-game purchases, the video game industry is a leader in partnering with parents and players to create enjoyable video game experiences.”