By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Belgium’s Gaming Commission Says Loot Boxes are Gambling, Wants Them Banned in Europe

Belgium’s Gaming Commission Says Loot Boxes are Gambling, Wants Them Banned in Europe - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 22 November 2017 / 2,600 Views

Belgium's Gaming Commission announced last week that it was looking into whether or not loot boxes available for purchase in games like Star Wars Battlefront II and Overwatch were considered gambling. Electronic Arts responded at the time saying "the crate mechanics of Star Wars Battlefront II are not gambling."

The Gaming Commission has come to the conclusion that "the mixing of money and addiction is gambling," as reported by VTM News.


"Mixing gambling and gaming, especially at a young age, is dangerous for the mental health of the child," said Belgium's Minister of Justice Koen Geens.

Geens wants loot boxes to be banned from Europe and will take it up with the EU, however, it will take time. "Because we have to go to Europe. We will certainly try to ban it." 

Thanks PCGamer.


A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.


More Articles

7 Comments
Ggordon (on 22 November 2017)

PLEASE ban these miserable things everywhere.Cosmetic or not i dont care.They are making developers greedy af

  • +7
StriderKiwi (on 22 November 2017)

Now if only this can reach the US...

  • +4
SecondWar StriderKiwi (on 22 November 2017)

And be applied to the UK before it leaves the EU

  • +2
Mystro-Sama StriderKiwi (on 23 November 2017)

It already has. Hawaii is investigating.

  • +3
CrazyGamer2017 (on 22 November 2017)

I did not see that coming, my tiny country starting the "legal" move towards the banning of the loot cancer and micro-tumors. Don't know how this will end of course but if it does have a happy end, remember folks, it's us Belgians that put the first crack in that seedy business model that is lootboxes and micro-transactions.

  • +1
RenCutypoison CrazyGamer2017 (on 23 November 2017)

My worry is that Belgium regulates gambling more than the US.
I don't know how well it will export. But I'm so proud of Belgium :D

  • +1
IkePoR (on 22 November 2017)

It begins.

  • +1