Australia has taken drastic measures to curb problem gambling among youths. Recently, the country enacted new guidelines to reclassify video games containing simulated gambling and gambling-like elements, such as loot boxes.
The new classifications will give a Mature rating to games with gambling-like elements and restrict the sale of games with casino gambling elements to those 18 and older.
Meanwhile, Apple is taking action to reclassify games in Australia and France to meet regional rating requirements.
Key Highlights
- New video game classifications in Australia went into effect on September 22.
- Games with simulated gambling, like social casinos, will be rated R18+ and restricted to those 18 and older.
- Apple will show regional ratings for France and Australia alongside global ratings.
New Video Game Classifications Go Into Effect for Australia
On September 22, 2024, new video game classifications were enacted, bringing new ratings or restrictions to games containing gambling-like elements.
These elements apply to video games with gambling-like mechanics or elements, such as loot boxes. Under the new guidelines, any video games that offer paid loot boxes or in-game purchases with elements of chance will be classified as M (Mature).
In Australia, a Mature rating is more of a recommendation, meaning the games are not recommended for youth under 15. However, they can still be sold.
Any video games featuring simulated gambling, such as online casino games or slots, will carry an R18+ classification.
These new classifications apply to all platforms, including computers, cell phones, tablets, and video game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation.
Games labeled R18+ can only be sold to people 18 or older in Australia. This is to align with Australian gambling laws.
These new classifications will apply to all platforms, including computers, cell phones, tablets, and video game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation.
The ratings will likely only impact video games that involve real money or in-game currency purchases. This will also include online social casinos that feature interactive online gambling elements.
Video games that do not require real or in-game currency will likely not be reclassified. The same applies to games with gambling settings that don’t allow casino gameplay.
Video games classified before these new guidelines will only need to be reclassified if the games are modified or become unclassified.
The new classification systems have been coming for a long time. Lawmakers and problem gambling groups have long sought to restrict loot boxes and gambling elements in video games.
The new restrictions are seen as a necessary step to protect youth and to prevent them from becoming problem gamblers.
Apple Changes Regional Ratings in France and Australia
Following the changes to Australian video game classifications, Apple has announced changes to its App Store game ratings for France and Australia.
According to reports, new regional game ratings will be available alongside global age ratings from Apple. No additional actions are required from game developers.
Apple’s global ratings are a bit less strict than those in Australia and France. Games containing “infrequent or mild simulated gambling” have a 12+ label, while apps with “frequent or intense simulated gambling” receive a 17+ label.
In France, apps with a 17+ Apple rating will feature a regional 18+ rating. To comply with the new Australian video game guidelines, Aussies will see all games with simulated gambling feature an R18+ rating. Games with paid loot boxes will feature the M rating in Australia.
Are the New Aussie Video Game Ratings Going Too Far?
The new Aussie guidelines may seem a bit extreme on the surface. However, if you look at some of the elements in video games, they begin to make more sense.
Several mobile video games feature chance elements that look and play exactly like casino slots or games of chance like Roulette. Add an in-game purchase element, and you effectively have children gambling money to receive video game items.
There are many complaints and even lawsuits from parents who are upset over the amount of money youth spend on online games. With gambling-like elements in some games, it is natural to be concerned about whether these games are grooming future problem gamblers.
Unpaid random loot boxes that are part of standard game rewards are one thing. However, when you start incorporating gambling-like elements like slots, you are entering into territory that should be reserved for adults.
Gambling is an activity that is meant to be enjoyed by adults. Restricting some games to adults-only is a form of responsible gambling and something that needs to be encouraged.
Sources
https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/26846/new-australian-classification-rules-for-gambling-like-content-in-video-games
https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/26953/apple-to-implement-regional-age-ratings-in-australia-and-france
