Drese warns about loot boxes: regulation for children in the country is required!

Drese warns about loot boxes: regulation for children in the country is required!

On November 4, 2025, an important topic was addressed in the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: loot boxes in video games and their potential dangers for children and young people. Health Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) pointed out that loot boxes have many similarities to gambling and can therefore become addictive. She explained that, above all, the reward loops built into these loot boxes ensure that addictive behavior patterns are encouraged. Drese called for loot boxes to be regulated in accordance with child and youth law. The goal is to create clear guidelines so that children do not end up in a dangerous environment.

In order to emphasize this concern, the MPs decided to examine the harmonization of youth protection law and the gambling laws of the states in the Federal Council. This joint application from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saarland is to be discussed in the Federal Council on November 21st. A possible regulation could include that games with loot boxes are only released from the age of 18. Current discussions show that legal experts also have different opinions as to whether loot boxes should be classified as gambling or not. While some advocates argue that they bring joy to gamers, critics fear they can be dangerous, especially for children. This makes the legal classification of loot boxes a hot topic in the political landscape.

The dangers of loot boxes

The legal classification of loot boxes remains unclear. Some scholars and practitioners are working on a definition that expresses the different sides of this digital content. Loot boxes allow you to purchase digital content for real money and offer random rewards. The purchase often takes place in a child-friendly environment, which also raises concerns about possible gambling addiction.

What is particularly worrying is that the psychological mechanisms behind loot boxes, which create anticipation and excitement, pose a risk of addiction that can be more prevalent in children and young people. Current laws may not provide the necessary protection, which is why the political discussion about possible regulation or even a ban on loot boxes is gaining momentum. Accordingly, the dialogue about the strict guidelines necessary to protect children is becoming increasingly urgent.

There is also a lot going on in the international political arena. Donald Trump has recently sparked discussions about Russia's alleged "underground" nuclear weapons tests, while Ukraine continues to bolster its military presence with a drone strike reward system to match video game mechanics. This rewarding system has been well received by Ukrainian military officials and shows how the interface between gaming and real-world events continues to be redefined.

The strategic relevance of the conflict in Ukraine remains high. Russian troops continue to try to maintain the military strike against Ukraine, which is prevented by Ukrainian defense strategies. Support from other Western armaments, such as Storm Shadow missiles, is also part of the ongoing conflict.

In summary, it can be said that there is a need for clear and well-thought-out regulations both in the context of loot boxes and in geopolitical conflicts. The developments are critical and show how complex issues are always interconnected in our society today. It will be interesting to see what decisions those responsible will make in the near future.

For more information you can read the articles from the Baltic Sea newspaper, Independent and Lexbase visit.