Games featuring loot boxes will receive a minimum age rating of 16 across Europe, including in the UK, under new rules from the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) body. The changes, set to take effect in June, aim to provide clearer guidance for parents and players amid growing concerns that loot boxes blur the line between gaming and gambling.
Loot boxes are in-game features that allow players to purchase random items using real or virtual currency. Research has highlighted the potential for these mechanics to encourage gambling-like behavior among minors. Under the updated PEGI system, which is used in 38 countries, games containing paid random items will automatically be rated PEGI 16, and in some cases, ratings could rise to PEGI 18.
Dirk Bosmans, PEGI director, said the updates will provide “more useful and transparent advice” to both parents and players. Emily Tofield, chief executive of the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (Ygam), described the move as a “step in the right direction” but called for the new ratings to apply retrospectively to existing games. Currently, the rules will only affect titles released after June.
“Without applying the rules to current games, the policy will do little to protect the children who are already playing them,” Tofield said.
Loot boxes remain unregulated under UK law, despite concerns about their potential harms. The government decided in 2022 not to amend the Gambling Act 2005 to include them, citing a lack of evidence of a direct link to gambling-related harm. Trade guidance from Ukie in 2023 instructs game developers to restrict players under 18 from purchasing loot boxes without parental consent. The Advertising Standards Authority also requires that game advertisements clearly indicate the presence of loot boxes.
Dr Ruijie Wang, who led a 2025 study at Bournemouth University on the impact of gambling in games, said loot boxes are “one of the most studied examples of gambling-like mechanics in games.” She added that including them in age ratings provides a more accurate reflection of modern game design and helps parents make informed decisions.
PEGI’s overhaul will also assign ratings to other game features. Games with time-limited systems such as paid battle passes will receive a PEGI 12 rating, while games incorporating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will be rated PEGI 18. Titles with daily quests that penalize players for not returning may see their rating rise to PEGI 12, while games without any reporting or blocking features for online players will be rated PEGI 18.
Freelance games journalist Vic Hood noted that while the new ratings are a positive development, the effectiveness ultimately depends on parental awareness. “It will largely be down to parents to educate themselves on why these changes have been brought in and decide for themselves if they deem the games suitable for their child,” she said.
The revised PEGI guidelines reflect growing recognition of the risks associated with monetized gaming mechanics and the importance of clear, age-appropriate guidance for younger players.
