Mystery boxes and loot boxes have exploded in popularity, from physical surprise packages to digital unboxings on platforms like EmpireDrop. But as the industry grows, so does regulatory attention. Governments around the world are grappling with how to classify and regulate mystery boxes, and the legal landscape varies dramatically from one country to the next.
Whether you are a player wondering if your favorite mystery box online platform is legal in your region, or an enthusiast trying to understand the global regulatory picture, this comprehensive guide breaks down mystery box laws country by country.
Why are mystery boxes being regulated?
Before diving into specific laws, it is important to understand why governments are paying attention to mystery boxes in the first place.
The core concern centers on the randomized nature of mystery box purchases. When you pay money for an unknown item with varying possible values, regulators see parallels to gambling. This naturally leads to the question: are loot boxes gambling? The key questions regulators ask include:
- Does the purchase involve a stake? You are paying real money.
- Is the outcome determined by chance? The item you receive is random.
- Can the items be assigned a monetary value? If items can be sold or traded, they have real-world value.
When all three conditions are met, some jurisdictions classify mystery boxes as a form of gambling, which triggers licensing requirements, age restrictions, and consumer protections.
Additional concerns driving regulation include:
- Minor protection. Many mystery box users are young, and regulators worry about exposing minors to gambling-like mechanics.
- Addiction potential. The variable-ratio reinforcement schedule (random rewards) is the same psychological mechanism that makes slot machines addictive. Our responsible gaming guide covers how to enjoy mystery boxes safely.
- Consumer transparency. Without disclosed odds, consumers cannot make informed purchasing decisions.
North America
United States
Status: Mostly unregulated at the federal level
There is currently no federal law in the United States that specifically bans or regulates mystery boxes or loot boxes. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has investigated loot box practices and hosted public workshops on the topic, but no binding federal legislation has been enacted as of early 2026.
However, state-level activity has been significant:
- California, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Washington introduced bills in 2018 aimed at regulating loot box sales, particularly to minors. Most of these bills focused on disclosure requirements rather than outright bans.
- Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has introduced legislation targeting loot boxes and pay-to-win microtransactions, which could set a precedent for broader mystery box regulation if passed.
- Several states are exploring whether mystery boxes fall under existing gambling statutes, but no state has definitively classified them as gambling.
For players: Online mystery box platforms are generally accessible throughout the United States, though individual states may have varying interpretations under consumer protection laws. Platforms that operate transparently, disclose odds, and implement provably fair systems operate in the safest legal territory.
Canada
Status: Province-dependent regulation
Canada does not have a federal law specifically targeting mystery boxes. However, gambling is regulated at the provincial level, and some provinces have broader definitions of gambling that could potentially encompass mystery boxes.
The Canadian approach has been primarily focused on loot boxes in video games, with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) adding content descriptors for games that include randomized purchases. No province has banned mystery boxes outright, but consumer protection agencies monitor the space.
Europe
Europe has the most varied and active regulatory landscape for mystery boxes and loot boxes. Different countries have taken dramatically different approaches.
Belgium
Status: Banned (classified as gambling)
Belgium was the first European country to take definitive action against loot boxes. In 2018, the Belgian Gaming Commission concluded that loot boxes in video games constitute illegal gambling under Belgian law when they can be purchased with real money and contain items of variable value.
The ruling resulted in major game publishers removing loot box mechanics from games sold in Belgium. This classification extends to online mystery boxes, meaning platforms offering paid randomized items to Belgian residents must comply with gambling regulations or face legal consequences.
For players: Mystery box platforms that offer services to Belgian residents must hold a Belgian gambling license. Many international platforms restrict access from Belgium to avoid legal issues.
Netherlands
Status: Restricted (case-by-case basis)
The Dutch approach is more nuanced than Belgium's. The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) has ruled that loot boxes constitute gambling when the items inside have market value and can be traded or sold outside the platform.
This means that mystery boxes where items are consumable or have no external trade value may be legal, while those containing tradeable items with real-world monetary value likely fall under gambling law.
In 2024, a Dutch court ruling added further nuance by overturning a fine against a major game publisher, suggesting that not all loot boxes automatically qualify as gambling. The regulatory landscape remains in flux.
Germany
Status: Restricted (age-gating and labeling requirements)
Germany has taken a consumer protection approach rather than an outright ban. Since 2021, an amendment to the Jugendmedienschutz-Staatsvertrag (Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media) requires games and platforms with loot box or mystery box mechanics to be labeled as potentially harmful to children.
Germany's Bundesrat has pushed for even stricter rules, potentially treating mystery boxes as gambling (which would require an 18+ age restriction and gambling licensing). As of early 2026, further legislative action is under discussion but no new law has been enacted.
France
Status: Not classified as gambling (under review)
France's gambling authority, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has not classified loot boxes or mystery boxes as gambling. However, consumer protection agencies have issued warnings about the potential risks of randomized purchases, particularly for minors.
France is expected to align with broader EU directives as the Digital Fairness Act progresses.
Spain
Status: Increasing regulation
Spain has been moving toward stricter regulation of loot boxes and random reward mechanisms. The Spanish government has proposed legislation that would classify certain types of loot boxes as gambling, particularly those aimed at or accessible to minors. The regulatory framework is still being finalized.
Italy
Status: Partial regulation
Italy requires that platforms disclosing randomized paid content clearly display the odds of receiving each item. This transparency requirement applies to both video game loot boxes and online mystery boxes. Italy has not banned mystery boxes but has focused on informed consent and minor protection.
European Union (EU-wide)
Status: Major legislation pending
The EU Digital Fairness Act, expected to be finalized in 2026, is the most significant upcoming regulatory development for mystery boxes in Europe. The Act is expected to:
- Prohibit loot boxes in games and platforms accessible to minors
- Require transparent odds disclosure
- Mandate consumer protection measures for randomized purchases
- Potentially require platforms to implement verifiable fairness systems
The Digital Fairness Act will set a baseline for all EU member states, though individual countries may implement stricter national rules. This legislation will have a profound impact on how mystery box platforms operate within the European market.
United Kingdom
Status: Not classified as gambling (significant review ongoing)
The UK Gambling Commission concluded that loot boxes do not constitute gambling under the Gambling Act 2005 because the items inside are not considered to have monetary value outside the game or platform. However, this position has been heavily criticized by lawmakers, researchers, and consumer advocacy groups.
The UK government's response to the immersive and age-rated technologies review called for industry-led protections, including:
- Disclosure of odds for randomized purchases
- Spending limits and parental controls
- Age verification for platforms offering mystery boxes
The UK is one of the most watched jurisdictions in this space. If the government reclassifies mystery boxes as gambling, it would have significant implications for platforms operating in the British market. As of 2026, new proposals are under discussion but no reclassification has occurred.
Asia
China
Status: Heavily regulated (mandatory odds disclosure)
China was one of the first countries to regulate loot boxes. Since 2017, Chinese law requires that:
- All platforms must disclose the exact probability of receiving each item in any randomized purchase.
- Virtual items obtained through random mechanisms cannot be directly converted into real currency through the platform.
- Advertising for mystery boxes and loot boxes must not be misleading.
In addition, China restricts the number of daily loot box purchases for minors and imposes spending caps. These regulations apply to both video game loot boxes and online mystery box platforms.
Japan
Status: Specific mechanics banned
Japan was a pioneer in loot box regulation. In 2012, Japan banned "kompu gacha" (complete gacha), a specific loot box mechanic where players needed to collect a full set of random items to receive a final reward. This mechanic was considered particularly exploitative because it incentivized massive spending to obtain the last missing piece.
Other forms of loot boxes and mystery boxes remain legal in Japan, though they are subject to the country's general consumer protection laws and the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.
South Korea
Status: Mandatory odds disclosure
South Korea requires that all randomized in-game purchases display the probability of receiving each item. The Game Industry Promotion Act mandates full transparency for any random-reward mechanism. Non-compliance can result in fines and sanctions.
South Korean regulations have been a model for other countries seeking to regulate mystery boxes without outright bans.
Australia
Status: Increasing scrutiny (age-rating changes)
Australia has not banned mystery boxes, but the Australian Classification Board now rates games and platforms with chance-based purchases at a minimum of 15+. The Australian Senate's Environment and Communications References Committee has conducted investigations into loot box mechanics and recommended further regulation.
In 2025, Australia updated its classification guidelines to more prominently flag randomized purchase mechanics, and further legislative action is expected.
South America
Brazil
Status: New restrictions for minors (effective 2026)
Brazil signed a new online child-safety law in 2025 that will ban loot box sales to minors (under 18) starting in March 2026. This is one of the most significant recent regulatory developments in South America.
The law is part of a broader push to protect children from exploitative monetization mechanics online. Adult players can still access mystery boxes, but platforms must implement robust age verification.
Argentina
Status: Limited specific regulation
Argentina does not have specific laws targeting mystery boxes or loot boxes. General consumer protection laws apply, requiring transparent pricing and honest advertising. The regulatory landscape may evolve as neighboring Brazil implements its new restrictions.
Middle East and Africa
United Arab Emirates
Status: Subject to consumer protection laws
The UAE does not have specific mystery box legislation, but online commerce is regulated by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and consumer protection laws. Mystery box platforms operating in the UAE must comply with general e-commerce regulations and advertising standards.
South Africa
Status: Limited regulation
South Africa's National Gambling Act does not specifically address mystery boxes or loot boxes. However, the broad definition of gambling in South African law could potentially be applied to certain mystery box mechanics. No enforcement action has been taken against mystery box platforms to date.
Summary table: mystery box legal status by country
| Country | Legal Status | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Legal (mostly unregulated) | State-level monitoring |
| Canada | Legal (province-dependent) | Consumer protection compliance |
| Belgium | Banned (gambling) | Gambling license required |
| Netherlands | Restricted (case-by-case) | No tradeable-value items without license |
| Germany | Restricted (age-gating) | Minor protection labeling |
| France | Legal (under review) | No specific regulation yet |
| Spain | Under regulation | Pending legislation |
| Italy | Legal (transparency required) | Odds disclosure mandatory |
| United Kingdom | Legal (not classified as gambling) | Industry self-regulation |
| China | Legal (heavily regulated) | Odds disclosure, spending caps for minors |
| Japan | Legal (kompu gacha banned) | Specific exploitative mechanics prohibited |
| South Korea | Legal (regulated) | Odds disclosure mandatory |
| Australia | Legal (increased scrutiny) | 15+ age rating for chance-based purchases |
| Brazil | Restricted for minors (2026) | Under-18 ban starting March 2026 |
What this means for mystery box players
The global regulatory trend is moving toward greater transparency and consumer protection rather than outright bans. For players, this means:
- Check your local laws. Regulations vary significantly by country. What is perfectly legal in one jurisdiction may be restricted in another.
- Choose transparent platforms. Platforms that voluntarily disclose odds, implement provably fair technology, and offer consumer protections are the safest choice regardless of your location.
- Watch for age restrictions. If you are under 18, several countries now restrict or ban your access to mystery box platforms.
- Stay informed. The regulatory landscape is changing rapidly, particularly in the EU and Asia.
Conclusion
Mystery box laws vary enormously around the world. Belgium treats them as gambling, China mandates odds disclosure, Japan bans specific exploitative mechanics, and the United States has yet to enact federal legislation. The EU Digital Fairness Act, expected in 2026, may be the most impactful regulatory development yet, potentially setting a global standard for mystery box regulation.
Regardless of where you live, the safest approach is to use platforms that prioritize transparency, implement provably fair technology, disclose odds, and comply with local regulations. The industry is maturing, and platforms that embrace regulation and fairness will be the ones that earn lasting player trust.