Loot box games to be rated 16+ across Europe
The European video game ratings organisation is addressing the long-debated question of whether loot boxes should be considered a form of gambling with a range of changes, including a PEGI 16 rating for games that contain them across Europe.
PEGI, which operates the Pan-European system for the age classification of video games, is planning to increase ratings for games that feature loot boxes.
The mechanic allows users to purchase random mystery items. Research has found that young adults buying loot boxes within video games should be considered a high-risk group for gambling issues.
New categories have been added to the classification criteria to address the risks of loot boxes. From June 2026, submitted games will be subject to a broader set of criteria, including purchases of in-game content, paid random items, communication features, and features that motivate players to continue playing.
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“For us, it has been a useful and successful change: at least one of the new USK criteria has been applied to approximately 30% of all games that were submitted since we updated our system. Around 1 in 3 of those games have been given a higher age rating as a result. The effect of the changes was visible and impactful,” said Elisabeth Secker, Managing Director of the German age rating authority USK, which cooperated with PEGI on the matter.
From 2026, games with time-limited or quantity-limited offers will be classified with a PEGI 12, while games with NFTs or blockchain-related mechanisms will be PEGI 18. In turn, games that sell “paid random items” will be rated PEGI 16 by default, sometimes going up to PEGI 18.
Mechanics that include daily quests or other incentives for playing daily will trigger a PEGI 7 classification. If they punish the player for not returning, the rating will be adjusted to PEGI 12.
Finally, games with entirely unrestricted communication features will be PEGI 18.
Publishers will have to submit additional information when introducing new features in a video game, allowing PEGI to review how these features may affect the game’s age classification.
The PEGI system is used and recognized in 38 countries, primarily in Europe. It provides age ratings of 3, 7, 12, 16, and 18 to help consumers, especially parents, determine how suitable a game is to their child.
Certain games have already come under fire for having in-game loot box features. In February, New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against game developer Valve for promoting illegal gambling linked to its popular video games like Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2.
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