Children’s Commissioner expresses concern after Government rejects loot box ban
The Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza has said many kids will exposed to “financial and psychological harms” if the Government does not take “firm action” on loot boxes.
In a blog post, she echoed comments made by Epic Risk Management earlier this week after the UK Government declined to impose a ban on loot boxes in video games.
This follows the publication of an almost two-year-long review conducted by the Government, which cited a “stable and consistent association between loot box use and problem gambling.”
But on Monday, a statement from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it would be “premature to take legislative action,” essentially ruling out a ban – for now.
This decision was met with much criticism, with the Children’s Commissioner now lending her voice to the outcry.
“The Children’s Commissioner believes that the Government should listen to children and parents to take firm action to prevent under-18s from buying loot boxes,” wrote de Souza.
“Relying on voluntary industry action and on parental controls will leave many children exposed to the financial and psychological harms of loot boxes.”
De Souza went on to compare loot boxes to gambling, though they are not currently covered by the definition of the 2005 Gambling Act.
She called for their inclusion, adding: “Clause six of the Gambling Act should be expanded to capture loot boxes, bringing them into the scope of regulation.”
In closing, the Children’s Commissioner said she would “follow this issue closely, including by reflecting children’s views and concerns.”
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