Episode 12 - Regulating the Perils of Loot Boxes

‘I blew my university savings gaming on FIFA…my parents were heartbroken when they found out and read through the bank statements’

A recent report carried out by researchers at the Universities of Plymouth and Wolverhampton, found that loot boxes- which are mystery bundles of virtual items related to a video game- 'are structurally and psychologically akin to gambling'. Several countries are now discussing whether loot boxes in video games should be regulated or even banned. Belgium has led the way with legislation, banning loot boxes in 2018... but how effective has this approach been?

In this episode we talk to Leon Xiao to discuss the Belgium ban, loot box regulation and whether it is akin to gambling.

Leon Xiao is a PhD Fellow at the IT University of Copenhagen and a Visiting Scholar at the School of Law of Queen Mary University of London. He holds English law degrees and researches video game law, particularly the regulation of loot boxes, a quasi-gambling monetisation mechanic in video games.