The Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, under the direction of Pablo Bustinduy, has launched an institutional campaign to warn about the risks of loot boxes in video games. These boxes, known for offering random rewards in exchange for money, could foster addictive behaviors among young people.
The initiative, with the slogan "Less Loot Boxes, more real gamers," aims to educate young people and families about the psychological strategies that video games employ. Loot boxes promise random rewards, which often lead players to spend more money when they do not obtain the desired outcome. This practice, the Ministry warns, is especially troubling among minors, who may find themselves trapped in a cycle of prolonged spending and gambling.
A study conducted by the International University of La Rioja (UNIR) revealed that 30.4% of young people aged 11 to 30 in Spain had bought one of these boxes in the last year. Moreover, these players are 4.5 times more likely to develop gambling problems. This kind of practice in video games establishes a bridge between gambling addiction and online betting.
Another study from New York University highlighted that more than 58% of mobile games already incorporate these reward mechanisms. The innocuous-looking appearance of loot boxes or roulette wheels contributes to normalizing gambling among young people from an early age.
The Ministry emphasizes that this campaign is part of a broader effort to create a safe digital environment. This includes new measures that require online betting portals to inform about the risks of gambling and the prohibition on offering welcome bonuses, aspects that will be incorporated into the future Customer Service Law.
With these actions, the Spanish government aligns itself with European recommendations and underscores its commitment to protecting young people in the digital environment, enabling safe and responsible gaming practices.
Fuente: Ministerio de Consumo
