Significant changes regarding gambling and lootboxes are coming into force in Australia. The changes are aimed at protecting players, especially young people, from the potential harms associated with gambling. Titles with paid loot boxes with similar mechanics to slot machines will now be automatically categorized and given age ratings.
The popularity of gambling in Australia
As statistics show, gambling is a passion of a significant portion of the Australian population. The reason for this is online casinos, which in the last decade have conquered the gambling market, pushing land-based gambling establishments to the background.
Our authors studied the search engine and were able to find sites and apps from a multitude of popular operators: Pin Up, Megapari and Parimatch. In first place is 1win, which attracts players with its user-friendly mobile apps. The attractive factor of this application is that it is not inferior to the official site in terms of catalog and functionality. To understand this, all you need to do is download 1win, register, and log in to your personal account. The application is available for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets.
With the arrival of the lives of Australians, gambling on the Internet is a hobby, even for those who were not previously addicted to anything like this. However, today, gambling is not only played by adults but also by children. We are not talking about the standard online casinos and video games with a very dubious way of monetization.
Classification rules in Australia
In Australia, new video game classification rules have been implemented to protect players better and create a more transparent environment for gamers:
Any video games that contain gambling-related elements will automatically be categorized as 18+. This applies even to projects in which gambling content has a minor place, such as “New Super Bros.” with poker elements or “Pokémon Red and Blue,” where slot machines can be found. While these games may have been accessible to a broader audience in the past, they will now automatically fall under strict restrictions, even if their main concept is not gambling-related. All released titles and updated or re-released versions of existing games will be required to meet the new classifications.
Games that include paid loot boxes and the ability to use real-world currency to purchase them will now have to receive an “M” recommendation rating. This means that such titles can be recommended for players over the age of 15, but there are no legal restrictions on their sale. They can be made available to everyone regardless of age.
The new rules are worth taking seriously, as they illustrate society’s and authorities’ growing concern about the potential effects of gambling on young people. This is not just a reclassification but a step towards creating a safe gambling environment where parents will have a much easier time navigating what games their children can access.
The outcome of a multi-year investigation
The investigation, conducted as part of a wide-ranging review, identified several issues regarding the impact of game mechanics on vulnerable groups. As a result, feedback was gathered from players and experts, many of whom expressed concern about the growing prevalence of loot boxes and their similarities to gambling.
As a result, the Australian government has taken action to limit the impact of lootboxes. In addition, public debate about the impact of gambling has led to calls for a total ban on sports betting advertising. The efforts demonstrate the growing concern in society and the need for stricter measures to protect citizens from potential gambling-related harms.
The new measures initiated as a result of the multi-year investigation could significantly impact not only the gaming industry but also society as a whole. This underscores the importance of an open dialog between government, developers, and society to create a safe and responsible gaming environment.
