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US Senator Introduces Bill to Ban Loot Boxes & P2W Microtransactions

Suzie Ford Updated: Posted:
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US Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) will soon introduce a bill called "The Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act" to the US Senate. It aims to ban the sale of loot boxes and other pay-to-win microtransactions in "games played by minors", specifically for children under 18 "whose developers knowingly allow minor players to engage in microtransactions".

One example provided by Hawley in his pending legislation is Activision Blizzard's Candy Crush that features a package of goods including virtual currency for $150. 

“When a game is designed for kids, game developers shouldn’t be allowed to monetize addiction,” Hawley said. “And when kids play games designed for adults, they should be walled off from compulsive microtransactions.”

The initiative patterns itself on regulations passed in other countries including Belgium, Ireland and Germany as well as that passed in US states including California and Washington.

The Entertainment Software Association has said that it is looking "forward to sharing with the senator the tools and information the industry already provides that keeps the control of in-game spending in parents' hands."

There is currently no date listed when Hawley will introduce the bill to the US Senate.

Read more at the Washington Post.


SBFord

Suzie Ford

Suzie is the former Associate Editor and News Manager at MMORPG.com. Follow her on Twitter @MMORPGMom