Australia’s new rules targeting video games containing loot boxes and “simulated gambling” content come into effect from Sunday (September 22) and are tough on games that include gambling-like features or chance-based in-app purchases. Age restrictions will be imposed.
Under the new classification guidelines, video games featuring simulated gambling will automatically receive an R18+ rating, making them inaccessible to players under 18. Additionally, games that include in-game purchases that include fortuitous elements such as loot boxes will be rated at least M and will be restricted to players 15 years of age or older.
The regulation, first announced in 2023, only applies to games classified after September 22, 2024. Existing titles do not need to be reclassified unless they are significantly updated or changed. Games that feature chance-based mechanics but do not include real-world currency or interactive gambling elements are excluded from these rules.
Although the M rating serves as a recommendation for games containing loot boxes, and parents are asked to monitor the content, the new rules do not legally restrict their sale. Games that include non-interactive gambling images or settings will also remain exempt.
The changes were made in response to a government inquiry led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, which focused on the potential harm online gambling and loot boxes cause to problem gamblers and minors. The study also noted growing concerns about the impact of sports betting advertising.
The findings have sparked widespread debate about the need for more comprehensive gambling regulations, with some advocates calling for a complete ban on sports betting advertising across the country.
