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UK Will Not Ban Video Games Loot Boxes Despite Problem Gambling Findings
Loot boxes in video games will not be banned in the UK, despite a government consultation finding evidence of a “consistent” association between the features and problem gambling.
Loot boxes have attracted comparison with gambling because they allow players to spend money to unlock in-game rewards, such as special characters, weapons or outfits, without knowing what they will get.
The features, popular in games such as Call of Duty and the Fifa football series, were effectively banned in Belgium in 2018, but the culture minister, Nadine Dorries, said the UK would not follow suit.
Instead, after a 22-month consultation, she said the government would discuss tougher “industry-led” protections with the UK’s £7bn gaming sector, drawing allegations from one expert that “foxes are guarding the hen house”.
Legislating to impose curbs or a prohibition on loot boxes as part of an expected overhaul of the UK’s gambling laws could have “unintended consequences”, Dorries said.
“For example, legislation to introduce an outright ban on children purchasing loot boxes could have the unintended effect of more children using adult accounts, and thus having more limited parental oversight of their play and spending,” the government said.
The government also concluded that while there was “a stable and consistent” association between loot boxes and problem gambling – identified across 15 peer reviewed studies – it could not be sure that there was a causative link.
“Our view is that it would be premature to take legislative action without first pursuing enhanced industry-led measures to deliver protections for children and young people and all players,” it said.
Another factor in the decision is that loot box rewards cannot legitimately be exchanged for real money, meaning players cannot in theory “cash out” as they might when gambling.
However, the Gambling Commission has previously warned that third-party sites are allowing people to exchange the rewards for real money.
While the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) stopped short of proposing legislation, Dorries said: “Children and young people should not be able to purchase loot boxes without parental approval.
“In addition, all players should have access to spending controls and transparent information to support their gaming.”
Ministers are expected to pursue tougher curbs through talks with the UK video games industry. This will be done via a working group, which is scheduled to deliver its first update in the first three months of 2023.
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Slots Temple Announces Exclusive Free-to-Play Tournament Partnership with Pragmatic Play
Leading online casino operator Slots Temple is excited to announce a brand-new partnership with the UK’s number one slot provider, Pragmatic Play. This exclusive new deal will allow Slots Temple to integrate Pragmatic Play’s industry-leading products into its free-to-play tournament platform.
As part of this collaboration, Pragmatic Play’s renowned online slot portfolio, which features popular titles like Big Bass Bonanza, Big Bass Splash, and Gates of Olympus, will be available on Slots Temple’s tournament platform.
This is a landmark moment for Slots Temple as it continues establishing itself as a unique proposition in the UK marketplace. The operator became the first affiliate site to receive a full United Kingdom Gambling Commission license, enabling it to offer real-money prizes and slots to its customers. Through this partnership, Slots Temple will also be the first operator in the UK to offer free to play Tournaments (on Pragmatic Play Slot Games) that award real cash prizes
Slots Temple is committed to giving its players access to the latest and best slots available, and this new partnership underscores that dedication.
Fraser Linkleter, CEO of Slots Temple, said: Tournaments are the beating heart of everything we offer here at Slots Temple. By signing this exclusive partnership, we are continuing to demonstrate to our players our commitment to collaborating with the best the industry has to offer.
“Slots Temple has repeatedly proven itself to be a trailblazer in the UK slot scene, and we’re excited for their players to engage with our titles through dynamic tournaments. Our games are designed with player engagement in mind, making them a perfect match for this format.” Beatriz Chamero, Business Development Manager at Pragmatic Play commented.
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Realistic Games is building momentum in the Dutch market with a new commercial agreement with sports and casino operator 711.nl, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to the region.
711.nl has added Realistic’s entire portfolio to its casino lobby, giving players access to a diverse selection of titles including Book of Charms, Emerald Frenzy and Mystic Lanterns. The partnership also ensures players can enjoy upcoming releases from Realistic’s roadmap, such as Art Heist, set to launch at the end of the month.
Chris Danaher, Head of Business Development at Realistic Games, said: “We are thrilled to partner with 711, a respected operator in the Dutch market. This agreement is a testament to the quality and appeal of our content, and we look forward to a successful collaboration as we continue to grow our presence in this key regulated territory.”
Gilles De Backer at 711.nl added: “Integrating the diverse portfolio from Realistic Games is set to bring an elevated gaming experience directly to our players. Their dedication to crafting engaging and exciting content ensures we continue to provide dynamic, reliable, and high-quality entertainment to our players.’”
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