Belgium’s Gaming Commission declares loot boxes are gambling, wants them banned in Europe

Belgium’s Gaming Commission has been investigating whether loot boxes in video games constitute gambling. Today, via VTM News, we can report that the Gaming Commission has decided in the affirmative.

The Gaming Commission declared, “The mixing of money and addiction is gambling.” Belgium’s Minister of Justice Koen Geens added his voice to the decision stating, “Mixing gambling and gaming, especially at a young age, is dangerous for the mental health of the child.”

Geens has said that he will work to remove any and all in-game purchases that involve luck, such as loot boxes. Geens isn’t only talking about Belgium either, stating, “But that takes time, because we have to go to Europe. We will certainly try to ban it.”

The news comes after a week of controversy for publisher EA and Star Wars: Battlefront II.

15 COMMENTS

Leo Stevenson
Leo Stevensonhttps://powerup-gaming.com/
I've been playing games for the past 27 years and have been writing for almost as long. Combining two passions in the way I'm able is a true privilege. PowerUp! is a labour of love and one I am so excited to share.

━ more like this

Melbourne Term 1 School Holidays 2025: Josephine Wants to Dance

Just in time for school holidays in Melbourne, Monkey Baa Theatre Company has announced the return of Josephine Wants to Dance at The Ian...

This Day in Aussie Gaming: The Must Plays of Apr 3

Video game history is often written by its greatest leaps forward—mechanical breakthroughs, bold artistic visions, and unforgettable characters. April 3rd stands as one such...

This Day in Aussie Gaming: The High Stakes All-Timers of Apr 2

Gaming is an ever-evolving medium, but some days in history stand out as pivotal moments in its journey. Whether it's a groundbreaking movie tie-in...

Warfare Review (2025) – An Unflinching, Harrowing, Claustrophic Nightmare

Warfare, from Writer-Director (and Iraq War Veteran) Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Civil War), is a towering achievement in cinema. Following in the footsteps...

This Day in Aussie Gaming: The Whip-Cracking Goodness of Mar 31

Every game launch is a moment in time—a snapshot of where gaming was, what players craved, and how technology was evolving. Some titles push...