Korean lawmakers renew efforts to curb gacha mechanics in online games
Reintroduced bill targets complete gacha and undisclosed item drop rate changes.
Key points:
– Bill seeks to outlaw complete gacha systems and secret probability changes
– Developers would be required to disclose refund and exchange policies
– Ministry to be granted oversight powers to investigate drop rate accuracy
The Democratic Party of Korea has revived its push to regulate in-game monetisation systems with the reintroduction of a bill aimed at banning certain randomised reward mechanisms commonly used in online games.
As reported by Inven Global, party floor leader Kim Byung-kee has submitted a proposed amendment to the Game Industry Promotion Act. The bill seeks to ban “complete gacha” systems, in which players must collect an entire set of random items in order to receive a rare reward.
Under the proposal, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism would be authorised to investigate cases where the accuracy of disclosed item probability data is called into question. The amendment would also require game companies to clearly outline consumer protection policies, including refund or exchange terms for digital content purchased with in-game currency.
Good to know: The proposed amendment includes a compensation framework for players affected by the closure of live service games
Rep. Kim said existing legislation fails to hold developers accountable for manipulating drop rates or using exploitative systems such as complete gacha. He stated that the lack of sanctions under current law contributes to an environment that may foster gambling-like behaviours. According to him, the amendment is intended to encourage healthier gaming practices and safeguard consumer rights.
A similar bill introduced during the 21st National Assembly did not pass. At the time, the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee expressed concern over the justification for a ban, recommending further empirical research. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also advised a cautious approach, emphasising the importance of transparency rather than outright legal restrictions.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
