On November 16, 2021, as part of the Federal Gambling Congress 2021, Behörden Spiegel invited participants to a discussion on "New offers on the internet beyond the State Gambling Treaty: Economic development and regulatory challenges".
In this context, ConPolicy project manager and behavioral economist Dr. Annette Cerulli-Harms presented results from the study "Loot boxes in online games and their effect on consumers, in particular young consumers". The study was commissioned by the European Parliament's IMCO Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection from ConPolicy.
The study examined different types of loot boxes, their behavioral effects, and the legal framework within which loot boxes can be regulated. Recommendations from the study included addressing lootboxes with consumer protection tools. This was again emphasized during the discussion with Behörden Spiegel editor Uwe Proll as well as the other panelists Dr. Ukrow (Saarland State Media Authority) and Simon Priglinger-Simader (Entain Group). In Germany, like in other EU Member States, regulation of lootboxes within the framework of the State Treaty on Gaming would be difficult and might not be very effective in terms of strengthening the protection of minors. In contrast, the regulation should rely on existing rules of consumer and youth protection, as well as media regulation.
Further information on the study for the European Parliament can be found here.