The government has urged video gaming platforms to “do more” to stop children making in-game purchases known as ‘loot boxes’.

Players can purchase a loot box with real money to receive random items, including “power-ups” to help a player compete better in the game and cosmetic items, such as virtual clothing.

It is also calling for the purchase of loot boxes to be made unavailable to children and young people unless they are approved by a parent or guardian.

“We want to stop children going on spending sprees online without parental consent, spurred on by in-game purchases like loot-boxes,” said culture secretary Nadine Dorries.

“Games companies and platforms need to do more to ensure that controls and age-restrictions are applied so that players are protected from the risk of gambling harms.”

A call for evidence on loot boxes launched by the department for digital, culture, media and sport in 2020 found that players who have purchased loot boxes may be more likely to experience gambling, mental health, financial and problem gaming-related harms.

It said that the risk may also be higher for children and young people.
The government said that some platforms, like Xbox, have already started improving protections by including options that require parental permission for under-18s to spend money within games.

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