Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Dirk Beljaarts, stresses the need for a Europe-wide ban on loot boxes in video games claiming this strategy would best protect consumers. His remarks came after the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the Christian Union (CU) asked questions in parliament about issues a UNICEF study raised regarding in-game purchases.
Why the Netherlands Struggles to Ban Loot Boxes Compared to Belgium
The research showed that many kids feel sorry about buying things in games. Games often use tricks like loot boxes to get kids to spend money. Some people think these tricks are too much like gambling. In 2022, CDA MP Henri Bontenbal asked for a nationwide ban on loot boxes. However, the Netherlands has not done this yet. Belgium, on the other hand, has put limits on loot boxes using its gambling laws.
Beljaarts said that Dutch gambling laws are the main reason why the country cannot ban loot boxes. Belgium was able to ban loot boxes without a license because their definition of gambling is broader. In the Netherlands, to ban loot boxes, they would need to change their laws considerably. This might affect whole games, not just the elements people do not like.
The minister said national rules alone would not work because the gaming market is international. He pushed to include a loot box ban in the European Digital Fairness Act, a proposed rule to boost consumer protection across the EU. Beljaarts felt sure this could make a bigger difference making game makers change how they do business across a unified European market.
Dutch Minister Advocates for Digital Fairness Act to Address Loot Box Concerns
The Digital Fairness Act proposal is likely to come in late 2025 or early 2026. Beljaarts stressed it is urgent to tackle this issue at the European level saying national rules are easier to get around. He also said rules need to be the same across member states to avoid a patchwork of regulations that could confuse businesses and consumers alike.
In the UK, worries about loot boxes continue, with studies showing that only a few top-earning mobile games follow advertising rules about revealing loot box systems. GambleAware’s boss, Zoë Osmond, has expressed concerns over the way gambling-like features are becoming normal in games aimed at young people.
The minister’s position shows the increasing push across Europe to deal with the dangers linked to loot boxes especially how they might take advantage of at-risk players. As talks go on, Beljaarts stressed again that the Netherlands wants to push for full EU-wide laws that put player safety and openness in digital gaming first.
Silvia Pavlof
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