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1019268

	registered interest
	date	03/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to conduct an investigation into the impact loot boxes in video games have on (1) underage gambling, and (2) instances of gambling related harm.
	tabling member printed	Lord Chadlington
	uin	HL11957
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2018 answer text <p>Where gambling facilities are offered, operators must have a licence from the Gambling Commission and have controls in place to prevent underage gambling.</p><p> </p><p>Loot boxes do not fall under gambling law where the in-game items acquired are confined for use within the game and cannot be cashed out. However, the Government is aware of concerns that loot boxes and other entertainment products, such as some video games, could encourage gambling-like behaviour and longer term lead to gambling related harm, and will continue to look closely at any evidence around this issue. We welcome the recent introduction by the VSC Ratings Board and PEGI of a new label for video games to warn parents where they include the opportunity to make in-game purchases.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2018, the Gambling Commission, along with 16 other regulators from Europe and the USA signed a declaration which outlined common concerns around gaming and gambling. The regulators agreed to work together to monitor the characteristics of video games and social gaming and where there is potential cross-over into gambling.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 17/12/2018 17:58:31 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3318 label Biography information for Lord Chadlington

1490882

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase monitoring of third-party websites that enable the trading of loot box items.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL1928
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2022 answer text <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/loot-boxes-in-video-games-call-for-evidence/outcome/government-response-to-the-call-for-evidence-on-loot-boxes-in-video-games" target="_blank">Her Majesty’s Government’s response</a> to the call for evidence sets out our findings on loot boxes, and our view on the next steps to address the issues it identified.</p><p>The call for evidence identified an association between the purchase of loot boxes and problem gambling. There are, however, a range of plausible explanations for this association, and research has not established whether a causal relationship exists.</p><p>Loot boxes vary in their design and deployment within games. Loot box rewards are usually confined for use within a given game and cannot be sold for real world currency, so are unlikely to meet the Gambling Act 2005's definition of a prize of ‘money or money’s worth’.</p><p>It is for the Gambling Commission to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to pursue enforcement action against any operations which it believes to be facilitating unlicensed gambling. It has shown that it can and will take action where the trading of items obtained from loot boxes brings loot box mechanics within the statutory definitions of gambling. Its recent uplift in fees has given the regulator new resources to monitor for and tackle unlicensed gambling.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay grouped question UIN HL1929 HL1930 question first answered 27/07/2022 14:38:08 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1490883

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the link between loot boxes and problem gambling.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL1929
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2022 answer text <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/loot-boxes-in-video-games-call-for-evidence/outcome/government-response-to-the-call-for-evidence-on-loot-boxes-in-video-games" target="_blank">Her Majesty’s Government’s response</a> to the call for evidence sets out our findings on loot boxes, and our view on the next steps to address the issues it identified.</p><p>The call for evidence identified an association between the purchase of loot boxes and problem gambling. There are, however, a range of plausible explanations for this association, and research has not established whether a causal relationship exists.</p><p>Loot boxes vary in their design and deployment within games. Loot box rewards are usually confined for use within a given game and cannot be sold for real world currency, so are unlikely to meet the Gambling Act 2005's definition of a prize of ‘money or money’s worth’.</p><p>It is for the Gambling Commission to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to pursue enforcement action against any operations which it believes to be facilitating unlicensed gambling. It has shown that it can and will take action where the trading of items obtained from loot boxes brings loot box mechanics within the statutory definitions of gambling. Its recent uplift in fees has given the regulator new resources to monitor for and tackle unlicensed gambling.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay grouped question UIN HL1928 HL1930 question first answered 27/07/2022 14:38:08 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1490884

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether loot boxes are (1) games of chance, and (2) capable of being exchanged for real money.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL1930
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2022 answer text <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/loot-boxes-in-video-games-call-for-evidence/outcome/government-response-to-the-call-for-evidence-on-loot-boxes-in-video-games" target="_blank">Her Majesty’s Government’s response</a> to the call for evidence sets out our findings on loot boxes, and our view on the next steps to address the issues it identified.</p><p>The call for evidence identified an association between the purchase of loot boxes and problem gambling. There are, however, a range of plausible explanations for this association, and research has not established whether a causal relationship exists.</p><p>Loot boxes vary in their design and deployment within games. Loot box rewards are usually confined for use within a given game and cannot be sold for real world currency, so are unlikely to meet the Gambling Act 2005's definition of a prize of ‘money or money’s worth’.</p><p>It is for the Gambling Commission to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to pursue enforcement action against any operations which it believes to be facilitating unlicensed gambling. It has shown that it can and will take action where the trading of items obtained from loot boxes brings loot box mechanics within the statutory definitions of gambling. Its recent uplift in fees has given the regulator new resources to monitor for and tackle unlicensed gambling.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay grouped question UIN HL1928 HL1929 question first answered 27/07/2022 14:38:08 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1587974

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2023
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when they will provide an update on the progress of the technical group on loot boxes, which was expected to be published in the first quarter of 2023.
	tabling member printed	Lord Butler of Brockwell
	uin	HL5740
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2023 answer text <p>His Majesty’s Government is committed to ensuring that video games can be enjoyed safely by everyone. The Government Response to the Call for Evidence on Loot Boxes in Video Games set out that the games industry should take the lead in strengthening protections for children and adults. Specifically, the Government’s view is that purchases of loot boxes should be unavailable to children unless and until they are enabled by a parent or guardian, and that all players should have access to, and be aware of, spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gaming.</p><p>Since then, the Government has convened a technical working group to pursue enhanced industry-led solutions to achieve these objectives. This has brought together representatives from the games industry, and we have engaged with regulators, academics, and consumer groups to ensure that measures are workable for players and parents.</p><p>This work is ongoing, and we will provide an update on the progress of the technical working group process in the coming months.</p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay question first answered 06/03/2023 12:00:46 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
	tabling member	3337 label Biography information for Lord Butler of Brockwell

1690186

	registered interest
	date	19/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to monitor gambling within video games.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foster of Bath
	uin	HL2537
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2024 answer text <p>His Majesty’s Government and the Gambling Commission continue to pay close attention to novel and emergent forms of gambling and gambling-like products, including within video games, to ensure that appropriate regulation is in place.</p><p>HM Government has welcomed new, industry-led guidance which aims to address concerns about the use of loot boxes in video games.</p><p>Measures to protect players should ensure that the purchase of loot boxes is unavailable to all children and young people unless enabled by a parent or guardian, and that all players have access to, and are aware of, spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gameplay.</p><p>The Government has agreed a 12-month implementation period for the new guidance on loot boxes and has asked the industry, co-ordinated by Ukie, to report back to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the extent to which it has been implemented.</p><p>We will continue to keep our position on possible future legislative options under review, informed by academic scrutiny of the industry-led measures. We will provide a further update in due course, following the 12-month implementation period.</p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay question first answered 01/03/2024 14:22:51 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
	tabling member	214 label Biography information for Lord Foster of Bath

1697655

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of Electronic Arts remaining a member of the Technical Working Group on Loot Boxes, following the ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority that it breached the CAP Code by failing to disclose the presence of in-game purchases in some of its products.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foster of Bath
	uin	HL3447
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/04/2024 answer text <p>His Majesty’s Government is committed to ensuring that video games can be enjoyed safely and responsibly by everyone.</p><p>The Advertising Standards Authority ruled that Electronic Arts had breached the Committee of Advertising Practice guidance on two of its adverts by failing to disclose the presence of in-game purchases including random items. We understand that Electronic Arts has responded that the error has been resolved and the adverts removed, which the Advertising Standards Authority has acknowledged.</p><p>In July 2023, video games trade body Ukie published new, industry-led guidance on loot boxes to improve player protections. The guidance was developed by a DCMS-convened Technical Working Group which brought together knowledge and expertise from major games companies and platforms operating in the UK, including Electronic Arts. The group met eight times and engaged with academics, the Games Rating Authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office, and the Competition and Markets Authority.</p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay question first answered 12/04/2024 10:09:02 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
	tabling member	214 label Biography information for Lord Foster of Bath

1017368

	registered interest
	date	29/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) Belgium's decision to ban loot boxes in online games, and (2) the social impact adopting a similar policy would have on reducing gambling related harm in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Chadlington
	uin	HL11928
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2018 answer text <p>Loot boxes do not fall under gambling law where the in-game items acquired are confined for use within the game and cannot be cashed out. However, the Government is aware of concerns that entertainment products, such as some video games, could encourage gambling-like behaviour, and will continue to look closely at any evidence around this issue.</p><p> </p><p>We welcome the recent introduction by the VSC Ratings Board and PEGI of a new label for video games to warn parents where they include the opportunity to make in-game purchases.</p><p> </p><p>The Gambling Commission, as the regulator for gambling in Great Britain, has strong powers and can take action where it needs to address emerging risks.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2018, the Gambling Commission published a declaration signed by 16 gambling regulators, which outlined common concerns around gaming and gambling. The regulators agreed to work together to monitor the characteristics of video games and social gaming and where there is potential cross-over into gambling.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Lord Ashton of Hyde question first answered 10/12/2018 12:06:06 answering member 4247 label Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde
	tabling member	3318 label Biography information for Lord Chadlington

1092451

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to (1) ban loot boxes in online games, and (2) regulate such loot boxes through the Gambling Commission.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL14706
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2019 answer text <p>Loot boxes do not fall under gambling law where the in-game items acquired are confined for use within the game and cannot be cashed out. The Government has no plans to ban loot boxes, or to amend Gambling Commission’s powers in relation to loot boxes. However, the Government is aware of concerns that entertainment products, such as some video games, could encourage gambling-like behaviour, and will continue to look closely at any evidence around this issue.</p><p>The Gambling Commission, as the regulator for gambling in Great Britain, has strong powers and can take action where it needs to address emerging risks.</p><p>In September 2018, the Gambling Commission, along with 15 other regulators from Europe and the USA, agreed to work together to monitor the characteristics of video games and social gaming and where there is potential cross-over into gambling. They will also work to raise parental and consumer awareness.</p><p>We welcome the introduction last year by the VSC Ratings Board and PEGI of a new label for video games to warn parents where they include the opportunity to make in-game purchases.</p> answering member printed Lord Ashton of Hyde question first answered 29/03/2019 12:05:46 answering member 4247 label Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1275426

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further (1) to the report by the Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry Gambling Harm—Time for Action, published on 2 July 2020 (HL Paper 79), and (2) to the letter to that Committee from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage on 21 December, whether (a) secondary, or (b) primary, legislation would be required to bring loot boxes within scope of gambling regulation by defining their contents as money or money’s worth.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foster of Bath
	uin	HL11976
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2021 answer text <p>The government remains committed to delivering on its manifesto pledges and ensuring young and vulnerable people are protected from harm. Our bespoke call for evidence on whether loot boxes cause harm and, if so, the nature of the harm, closed in November and received more than 30,000 responses (including individual responses to the survey of players’ experiences). We will publish a government response and next steps in the coming months, including implementation details for any changes proposed.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 22/01/2021 14:53:46 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	214 label Biography information for Lord Foster of Bath