The cross-party group in the Northern Ireland Assembly on gambling harm has called for tighter control over video games that include loot boxes and other gambling mechanics. They believe these harm players' mental health.
Loot boxes in Golf Clash
The group came to this conclusion based on a study conducted from December 2022 to January 2024.
The group proposed passing a law that would allow the authorities in Northern Ireland to regulate "the presence of gambling mechanics in video games, their structural characteristics, and availability." They want gaming companies to be more transparent about loot boxes. For example, they suggested that players should be guaranteed the ability to obtain a specific item from a loot box after a certain amount of money has been spent.
Additionally, the group proposed banning minors from playing free-to-play social casino games.