Loot Boxes Gambling

The cluster discusses loot boxes and microtransactions in video games like Overwatch, Apex Legends, and TF2, debating whether they constitute gambling, especially for underage players, and their predatory nature versus cosmetic benefits.

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#9072
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Keywords

e.g NFT PLEX CCG RMT IRL PS4 TF2 KTHXBAI AH loot boxes game gambling items money fortnite buy currency real money

Sample Comments

mseidl Aug 4, 2021 View on HN

Don't forget about micro transactions and loot boxes.

usea Sep 22, 2023 View on HN

Yes. They sell items via loot boxes where you don't know what you're buying until you've already opened it. It's gambling. Distributing purchases this way is well known to increase spending and hurt people. It's why they do it.

trentmb Jun 4, 2017 View on HN

People don't pay real money for in game items?

mewse-hn Dec 23, 2025 View on HN

Loot box style underage gambling in their live service games - TF2 hats, counterstrike skins, "trading cards", etc etc

c420 Feb 4, 2025 View on HN

Don't forget the loot boxes!

pawelmurias Jul 6, 2023 View on HN

Loot-box is gambling not subscriptions.

AlexandrB May 30, 2022 View on HN

This seems like the intent. Consider Overwatch loot boxes which may be earned in-game or purchased with money.

Jonnax Aug 18, 2020 View on HN

It's a currency. There's no lootboxes. There's premium items you buy with that currency.A microtransaction isn't gambling by default.

bovermyer Jan 15, 2019 View on HN

Does this affect video game loot boxes, then?

maeil Jan 17, 2025 View on HN

Doesn't seem too different from the lootboxes example.