Loot Boxes in Video Games (and Jordan vs. Kobe)
Doubling Down on Loot Boxes
5 Key Takeaways | The Maze of Laws, Rules, and Regulations at the Intersection of Gambling, Gaming, Sports Betting, and Fantasy Sports
In August 2022, two professional e-sports players were charged in the Singapore District Court for corruption and illegal gambling offences committed during an e-gaming tournament in 2020. The case is notable for illustrating...more
On May 17, 2022, Plaintiff Y.H. brought claims against Blizzard Entertainment making two sets of allegations: first, that booster packs in the game Hearthstone constitute unfair competition or unlawful gambling; and second,...more
The Spanish government published last week the pre-draft bill of law on randomized reward mechanisms associated with interactive software products for entertainment (a subtle and technical way of referring to loot boxes in...more
Whether it’s through mobile gaming or live streaming, young people are spending more time than ever participating in the virtual world. Yet, in-game chat functionality, online trolls, loot boxes and advertising are posing...more
In a press release dated 12 July 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore (MHA) announced that it is seeking feedback from the public on certain proposed amendments to the existing gambling legislation. The proposed...more
Loot boxes have become a regular feature in many mainstream video games. However, while their popularity is clear amongst gamers, the legal issues and positions from regulators about their use, both in the US and abroad, are...more
Consumers Sue Mobile App Maker Over Loot Boxes - Supercell singled out for creating a gambling space for youngsters - Too Old for This - We need a minute. Just a minute. Our heads are throbbing. We just got through looking at...more
Back in August of last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a workshop on video game loot boxes, which, for all you non-gamers, is a video game microtransaction in which an individual playing a video game purchases...more
Millions of individuals across the globe stayed indoors for unprecedented periods of time during the second quarter of 2020, and many of them turned to gaming to connect and compete with strangers and friends. The shutdowns...more
Do video games need to be regulated under gambling laws? That’s exactly the direction things are heading. The United Kingdom’s House of Lords Gambling Committee recently issued a Report recommending that video games be...more
Since Steve and Nick first explored the issue of loot boxes on this podcast, the world has taken note, and the loot box debate has exploded. In this episode, we cover the ensuing twists and turns in the loot box saga and...more
The 2010s were filled with substantial innovations, unexpected trends, and ongoing enthusiasm for electronic gaming. Wilson Sonsini's Electronic Gaming Group would like to take a moment to reflect on some major themes of the...more
With consumers, gamers and lawmakers expressing concerns about whether loot boxes are predatory or contribute to gambling-like behavior, game developers can take steps to minimize the possibility of their games inviting...more
Barry M. Benjamin, managing partner of the New York office and chair of Kilpatrick Townsend’s Advertising and Marketing group, was honored to present at the 41st annual 2019 ANA/BAA Marketing Law Conference. The session,...more
The findings of the UK's Immersive and Addictive Technologies Inquiry may significantly impact the economics of video game companies. Executive summary - On 12 September 2019, the UK government's Digital, Culture, Media...more