EU draft would ban paid loot boxes for minors and let adults switch off compulsive features
Game makers selling to EU players would face disclosure rules and fines of up to 6% of global turnover if the draft becomes law.
The European Commission has unveiled a proposed Digital Fairness Act that would replace its existing unfair commercial practices directive with a single regulation applying across all member states. For game makers, the draft would bar paid loot boxes and pay-to-win or pay-to-progress mechanics for minors, require clear disclosure of virtual currency values and loot box odds, and let adults switch off features that drive compulsive play. Companies found in breach could face fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover. Industry voices warn that smaller studios and free-to-play titles would bear the heaviest burden, and note that the text could still change before it moves through Parliament and the Council.
Why it matters
For players, the proposal would move protections for young people and adults from patchwork national rules into one directly applicable regulation across all member states. Minors would lose access to paid loot boxes and pay-to-win mechanics, while adults would gain a right to turn off features built to drive compulsive play. The Commission would also gain direct powers to investigate large-scale cases with major consumer impact. Industry figures argue the restrictions could effectively push free-to-play games out of reach for minors, so the outcome for young players depends on how the text is finally drafted.
Series EU Digital Fairness Act draft
- EU draft law would tighten rules on loot boxes and virtual currencies in free-to-play games
- UK and European games bodies warn EU Digital Fairness Act could weaken parental choice and PEGI ratings
- European games trade bodies call the draft Digital Fairness Act unworkable
- EU draft would ban paid loot boxes for minors and let adults switch off compulsive features
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