Loot boxes and the law

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Paying for a surprise

A loot box is a purchase where the player doesn't know what they will get until after paying. Course 1 met Belgium's rules, and the Every channel stage met the age-rating label. This lesson looks at the UK's view.

The UK government's view

In July 2022, the UK government found "an association between loot boxes and harms, but we have not found whether there is a causative link". It did "not intend to amend or extend the scope of gambling regulation to cover loot boxes at this time."

Quick check

What did the UK government decide in 2022?

  1. Not to bring loot boxes under gambling law for now
  2. To ban loot boxes
  3. That loot boxes cause gambling
Show the answer

Not to bring loot boxes under gambling law for now

It found an association with harms, no proven cause, and chose not to change gambling law at that time.

Children and parents

The same response: "children and young people should not be able to purchase loot boxes without parental approval." And "all players should have access to spending controls and transparent information".

Rules keep changing

The Every channel stage met Apple's rule: odds shown before purchase. Rules differ by country and change often, so Shard Garden checks them before every season, not once.

Plan the feature

Theo suggests mystery seed packs for real money. Which plan matches the UK government's view and Apple's rule?

  1. Odds shown before buying, and no purchase by children without a parent's approval
  2. Hide the odds to keep the surprise
  3. Sell them only at night
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Odds shown before buying, and no purchase by children without a parent's approval

Odds before purchase is Apple's rule; parental approval is what the UK government expects for children.

Shard Garden's choice

Kai answers Theo: the studio board already says no random items for real money. Seed surprises are earned by playing, and every pack in the shop shows exactly what is inside.

Quick check

A pack whose contents are shown in full before buying is a loot box.

Show the answer

False

A loot box is random: the player doesn't know what they will get. A pack shown in full is not.

Players trading with players

Once items have value, some players will try to cheat others out of them.

Bolt says: Next: trading and scams.

Fact-checked 12 October 2026