But there is a difference, said State Senator Kevin Ranker, who sponsored the bill in Washington: “The entire setup of digital gaming, the entire visual of it, the entire sensory load of it, is rapid and is immediate.”

Those audiovisual cues are important, Mr. Whyte said, noting that casinos have preserved the sound of crashing coins even though slot machine winnings now come on slips of paper. When an elite soccer player is opened in the game FIFA 18, fireworks explode and confetti falls. Overwatch’s items soar into view to a triumphant tune.

Gaming commissions in the United Kingdom and New Zealand have said loot boxes are not gambling. The Belgian Gaming Commission, however, announced this week that it was, and the Netherlands has said that at least four popular games violate its gambling laws because loot box items can be transferred in a marketplace, assigning them value.

Player opinions are not monolithic.

James Tuttle, 38, of Wilmington, Mass., considered the $300 he has spent on Overwatch loot boxes worthwhile because he has played for more than 800 hours. “I don’t see it as a gamble, I see it as an investment for future fun,” he said.

Denis Kharlamov, 27, of Toronto, has spent about $900, primarily when items are available for a limited time. “It is addicting,” he said. “When you are opening those loot boxes, there is definitely a feeling of euphoria when you get something you perceive as valuable.”