Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 21 mins ago
EU draft rules would restrict game purchases and loot boxes for minors
The European Commission has presented a draft Digital Fairness Act that could change how games are sold in the European Union.
The proposed rules would require companies to show the real-money value of paid virtual currencies.
For games aimed at minors, those currencies would be off by default and need a parent or guardian’s approval to activate.
Loot boxes would be banned for minors, while games available to adults would have to disclose possible rewards and their odds and let players turn the feature off.
The draft would also prohibit pay-to-win and pay-to-progress purchases for minors, and require ways to disable features that encourage excessive use.
The proposal is not law yet and must go through further legislative discussions before it can take effect.
The European Commission presented its draft Digital Fairness Act on November 11, proposing new rules for digital consumer practices, including video game purchases and features aimed at minors.
The draft would require companies to show the real-world value of virtual currencies and, for loot boxes available to adults, disclose possible items and their odds.
It proposes restrictions on paid-for virtual currencies and loot boxes for minors, and a ban on pay-to-win and pay-to-progress mechanisms for them.
The articles differ on the proposed treatment of loot boxes for minors: one says they must not be offered to minors, while another describes them as disabled by default.
The proposal is not yet law and still faces debate and revision.
- Who
- The European Commission proposed the rules; they would affect companies doing business in the EU.
- What
- A draft Digital Fairness Act would regulate practices including virtual currencies, loot boxes and pay-to-win mechanics in games.
- When
- The Commission presented the draft on November 11, 2026.
- Where
- Across the European Union.
- Why
- The proposal aims to protect consumers from harmful or unfair digital practices, including practices that may pressure minors to spend or encourage excessive use.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The draft text of the regulation leaked.
The European Commission formally presented its draft Digital Fairness Act.
The timeline cited by Eurogamer suggested the Act could be adopted.
The same timeline suggested the Act could be applied more broadly.
- Proposal
- Digital Fairness Act
- Presented
- November 11, 2026
- Scope
- European Union member states
- Virtual currencies
- Companies would have to show their real-world monetary value
- Loot boxes
- The draft calls for disclosure of possible items and probabilities when offered to adults
- Minors
- Pay-to-win and pay-to-progress mechanisms would be prohibited
5 sources
Europe wants to ban 'dark patterns' in apps and loot boxes for minors
Duolingo, Strava, and Ticketmaster Are All Caught Up in EU’s New Digital Fairness Rules
Lootboxes, pay-to-win, virtual currencies and other blights unto gaming face heavy regulation as the EU tables new Digital Fairness Act
What the Digital Fairness Act means for the games industry
Europe is about to get very tough on loot boxes in games, according to a leaked draft of the landmark Digital Fairness Act
What people are saying
The digital fairness act will make sure the digital economy works for consumers and not against them
It may be difficult for minors to resist such perceived pressure to pay