Loot boxes in video games give the player a random item, perhaps a weapon or a skin, typically in exchange for payment. Should they be viewed as a legal sweepstakes or as an illegal lottery? This video examines the legal issues and explains how loot boxes could be structured to avoid running afoul of gambling laws (which vary by state) in the U.S.. The video concludes that many current implementations of loot boxes are really illegal lotteries, and conjectures that major game companies use them anyway because the risk of being prosecuted isn't enough to dissuade them.
Previously: Belgium Moving to Ban "Loot Boxes" Throughout Europe, Hawaii Could Restrict Sale to Minors
(Score: 2) by pkrasimirov on Monday January 08 2018, @04:30PM (3 children)
SOMER Blink [engadget.com] comes to mind. Google "eve lottery" and you will find others. Have in mind Eve Online is a game where scam is the norm.
(Score: 2, Informative) by nitehawk214 on Monday January 08 2018, @09:01PM (2 children)
That was players scamming players, (which is part of the metagame of Eve.) Lootboxes are gaming companies scamming players. If they wanted, they could make items and directly sell them to players. People pay and get what they want.
Instead its a gambling mechanic, you pay and get some random unknown items. Complete bullshit and and manipulation. No regulation on whether the gaming company has to actually give out any desired items.
At least Vegas has to publish odds and be tested by the state. Also Vegas is not allowed to push gaming on children.
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh
(Score: 3, Insightful) by choose another one on Monday January 08 2018, @09:22PM (1 child)
> At least Vegas has to publish odds and be tested by the state. Also Vegas is not allowed to push gaming on children.
However, Panini doesn't, isn't and does.
Question is, are lootboxes Panini or Vegas? They appear to be more like the former from where I'm sitting as a parent.
(Score: 1) by nitehawk214 on Monday January 08 2018, @10:45PM
Are lootboxes sandwiches? A shit sandwich, perhaps.
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh