New Ratings in Australia Highlight Risks of Gifting Video Games with Gambling-like Features
As the holiday season approaches, many parents are shopping for the perfect gifts for their children, including video games. However, recent updates to video game classification in Australia shed light on the risks associated with games containing gambling-like features, such as loot boxes.
Clear Guidelines for Games with Gambling Elements
Australia has introduced new regulations to address the increasing concern over gambling-like mechanics in video games.
Effective since September 22, games featuring simulated gambling, such as poker or slots, now carry an R18+ rating, restricting their use to adults aged 18 or older.
Meanwhile, titles offering paid loot boxes are rated M for Mature, making them suitable only for players aged 15 and above.
These classifications provide an essential tool for parents to identify whether a game is appropriate for their child’s age.
However, it’s important to note that the new guidelines apply only to games released after the regulations came into effect.
Previously launched titles with similar mechanics remain unaffected by the updated classification system.
Importance of Proactive Parenting
Parents are encouraged to take a proactive approach when purchasing video games this holiday season.
Checking the product’s rating—displayed on retail packaging and online platforms—can help ensure that the game aligns with the child’s age and maturity level.
For games with M ratings, parents should remain mindful of the gameplay mechanics and consider enforcing boundaries around playtime to mitigate exposure to potentially harmful elements.
Monitoring the game environment is particularly crucial for games with loot boxes, which mimic gambling by offering randomized rewards.
Preventing Unauthorized Spending
Another critical consideration for parents is the security of their payment information.
Many video game platforms allow users to store billing details, which could lead to children making unapproved purchases.
Preventing payment information from being saved can reduce the risk of unexpected charges, such as buying in-game items or tokens used for loot boxes.
