Is Fifa 18 gambling? European rulings fuel concerns

Several nations rule loot boxes in video games constitute gambling; Singapore monitoring situation

A digital version of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo that players of the Fifa 18 video game can win from a virtual card pack in the game. In recent weeks, several European countries have ruled that such card packs with random rewards, also called loot b
A digital version of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo that players of the Fifa 18 video game can win from a virtual card pack in the game. In recent weeks, several European countries have ruled that such card packs with random rewards, also called loot boxes, in some video games constitute gambling. PHOTOS: ELECTRONIC ARTS
Menus for buying digital card packs in the Fifa 18 video game. The card packs can be bought with digital currency earned in-game or indirectly with real cash.
Menus for buying digital card packs in the Fifa 18 video game. The card packs can be bought with digital currency earned in-game or indirectly with real cash.
Ervin Tan
Updated
May 07, 2018, 06:05 AM
Published
May 07, 2018, 05:00 AM
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To get Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best footballers in Fifa 17, university student Darren Ho bought card packs in the video game.

The packs could be bought with digital currency earned in-game or indirectly with real cash, but Mr Ho opted to part with $10 in hard cash.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 07, 2018, with the headline Is Fifa 18 gambling? European rulings fuel concerns. Subscribe

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