Loot boxes endanger children: MV is planning strict rules for gamers!

Loot boxes endanger children: MV is planning strict rules for gamers!

Today, November 4th, 2025, the focus is on a topic that concerns many parents and young people: loot boxes in digital games. These virtual treasure chests, which players can purchase in popular games such as “Fortnite”, “League of Legends” and “EA Sports FC” for money or fantasy currency, are increasingly perceived as a danger to the younger generation. MV Health Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) sees an urgent need for action and warns of the risks that these game mechanics bring with them. In her opinion, loot boxes are similar to gambling and can promote addictive behavior.

Christian Krieg, from the State Coordination Center for Addiction Issues in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, emphasizes that loot boxes virtually fulfill two of three gambling criteria through the use of money and the random winners. The catch: They don't generate any real money, which legally positions them in a gray area. This means that the current laws leave a gap here that primarily affects children and young people.

Regulatory initiative at the federal level

In order to emphasize the concern, the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is planning a Federal Council initiative to regulate this practice. Clear rules should be created that better protect children and young people. As the minister explains, an age restriction of 18 years and over for games with loot boxes and a transparent disclosure of the content and the probability of winning could be topics of discussion. These approaches are urgently needed because a survey by the University of Graz found that over 40% of 10 to 19 year olds in Austria have already made in-game purchases.

At the same time, the Green state parliament member Pascal Leddin sees the possibility of comparing loot boxes with online casinos - both in terms of presentation and in terms of the gullible influence on children and young people. Gambling in Germany is currently regulated primarily at the state level, but loot boxes are not subject to existing gambling laws. So there is a need for action here.

International comparisons and expert discussions

Things look different in other countries: In Austria, it was determined that loot boxes represent gambling, which has already led to repayments for affected players. Portugal and Belgium have also restricted the distribution of games with gambling elements to minors. A continuation of the discussion about the need for changes to the State Treaty on Gambling or the Youth Protection Act is also being considered. In Lower Saxony, a motion for a resolution is currently being discussed that formulates audit mandates on this topic. The Technical Committee for Consumer Protection will examine the details of the regulation in detail.

Finally, Christian Krieg recommends parents to think intensively about their children's play sessions and to maintain a constant exchange. The symptoms of a possible gambling addiction should be taken seriously and could manifest themselves in an urge to gamble, lying about playing time or inner restlessness. On November 21st, the Federal Council will discuss the relevant regulations that could potentially provide more protection.

The upcoming decisions could be groundbreaking for how loot boxes are handled in the future and how children can be better protected from the potential dangers in the digital space. Parents and young people are now at a crossroads, and it will be exciting to see how the legal framework will continue to develop.