A Belgian couple has submitted a complaint against publisher Riot Games claiming that League of Legends is in violation of gambling laws in the country.
League of Legends is arguably the most popular MOBA and has millions of players that play each and every day. Recently Riot removed free-to-play Hextech Chests for Season 1 and made the loot a premium item. Riot’s stance on the situation is that they removed Hextech Chests from LoL simply because they were affecting profitability.
While players are still able to purchase the loot box from the League of Legends store using Riot Points, this move has outraged fans. One couple has also gone as far as to take legal action against Riot because they claim LoL’s Hextech Chests change goes against Belgium’s gambling laws.
The couple posted on social media to inform League of Legends players that they are in contact with the Belgian Gambling Commission regarding an alleged violation by Riot Games.
The post detailed the reasoning used by the couple in concluding that League of Legends is violating Belgium’s gambling law. It also shared a report from the Belgian Gambling Commission that investigated games containing loot boxes in 2018.
According to the report, games that contain gambling elements such as a wager, win and loss, and an element of chance to determine the outcome meet the legal definition of gambling in Belgium. The couple claimed that Riot displays the drop rate in LoL, but that the core mechanics are still of a gambling nature.
They elaborated that the main violations reported are exposure and lack of protection for minors, operating without a casino license, and failure to implement player protection measures. The post alleges LoL contains “detailed psychological techniques used by game developers to manipulate players into spending money” that were listed in the cited 2018 investigation report.
The couple explained that in 2018 Belgium forced key players in the gaming industry including Valve, Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard, and Nintendo to remove unregulated loot boxes or be penalized. They stated Riot Games shouldn’t be exempt from the law and should face consequences.
Fans are divided on the situation as many believe this may lead to Riot banning League of Legends altogether in Belgium to avoid penalties and sacntions. On the other hand, some players agree with the couple and say that developers shouldn’t force players to pay to receive in-game loot in this way.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
