UKGC Joins Investigation into Links Between Video Games and Gambling

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has joined the list of global gambling regulators engaged in an investigation into the links between video games and gambling, and especially the effect this may have on children and young people.

The UKGC joins 14 other regulatory bodies in Europe and the USA who have signed the agreement to investigate the possible links and danger that exist.

Skins and loot boxes

The biggest issues with video games and gambling revolve around skins and loot boxes, which both offer the ability to buy in-game features and add-ons in order to help players win.

There is also the ability to gamble these purchased items for the possibility of upgrading to something better, or, as with all gambling, losing it all.

Loot boxes are not a new phenomenon, but they have certainly taken it up a step over recent years, resulting in the Belgian Gaming Commission suggesting that the likes of Activision, Blizzard, EA Sports, and Valve should be criminally prosecuted for the loot crates offered within their games, saying this contravenes the laws in the country.

Warning labels

The investigation is not the only action being taken to try and stem the tide of skins and loot boxes taking over the world of video games, with many US states including California and Washington State considered adding warning labels of the gambling based nature of parts of the game, something Minnesota has been the first state to introduce, as well as stamping an 18+ label on any games that offer in-game purchases.

Whether this is something that will catch on globally remains to be seen, but it is clear that regulators are concerned by the rise and rise of skins and loot boxes over recent times