PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Gambling: Video Games (13 March 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to regulate the game mechanics of (a) loot boxes and (b) similar in-game reward mechanisms in video games to ensure fair practices.

Asked by:
Anna Turley (Labour)

Video games are subject to a mixture of statutory and voluntary regulation mainly linked to the Pan-European Games Information (PEGI) classification system. The PEGI ratings system is used to classify video games content against criteria which includes, among other things, gambling. Additionally, PEGI informs consumers purchasing products from major app stores if they contain further purchases and are considering the possibility of placing these notifications on boxed products.

Regulators such as PEGI and the Gambling Commission are speaking to industry to ensure that those who purchase and play video games are informed and protected. The government’s Internet Safety Strategy sets out how the government will work with the industry to promote further awareness and understanding of PEGI age ratings, parental controls and advice on safe gaming.

We recognise the risks that come from increasing convergence between gambling and video games. The Gambling Commission is keeping this matter under review and will continue to monitor developments in the market.

Answered by:
Margot James (Conservative)
16 March 2018