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> If it’s about protecting children, it’s probably better they learn how gambling is a losing game when there isn’t much money on the line rather than when they
by AlexandrB 4y ago
> If it’s about protecting children, it’s probably better they learn how gambling is a losing game when there isn’t much money on the line rather than when they’re older.
The same logic could be applied to alcohol consumption, but we still bar kids from buying alcohol. I think treating loot boxes as gambling strikes the right balance where they are not banned in general but also not actively being pushed on 12 year olds. The industry likes to claim that the primary driver of their loot box revenue is wealthy, adult "whales" so I don't see why they would be opposed to being classified as 18+ games - unless they're lying that is.
- hwntw 4y agoSo you're actually conflating two topics with that first sentence - since this is a topic from the UK government, we don't forbid alcohol consumption amongst children here (over the age of 5), only bar them from buying the alcohol. Given the topic at hand, it might be a bit more challenging to prevent children from buying loot boxes, whilst still allowing them to open them - but there is prior examples of a distinction in legality between the two.
- Auracle 4y agoI've heard that binge drinking among teens and young adults is pretty limited to the United States with our high drinking age vs. Europe, so it seems the logic might hold. Perhaps there could be more limited laws where people below 18 can only spend so much per month, and those above could also potentially have a limit.