The Belgian gaming regulator threatens fines of up to € 1.6 million for a series of video games if they are not adapted, writes De Standaard on Wednesday. The gaming committee has analysed the games “Overwatch”, “Star wars battlefront 2”, “FIFA 18” and “Counter-strike global offensive”. It wanted to check if they include any banned games of chance.

The element targeted by the committee is the “loot box”, which contains one or more virtual objects offering the player improvements in the game against payment. Players cannot know what it contains before buying the box.

According to the results of the study, only Star Wars Battlefront 2 was not cataloged as a game of chance. Its designers removed the “loot box” after complaints from players. For the other three, the conclusion is final: their booty chests are illegal.

The minister in charge, Koen Geens (CD & V), intends to start discussions with the gaming sector. If the games do not adapt, fines up to 800,000 euros and five years in prison could be imposed. If minors are concerned, the penalties could be doubled.

The Brussels Times