Part 4/10:
The core of the legal battle revolves around whether loot boxes constitute a form of gambling. EA contested the classification, arguing in part that their FIFA titles’ loot boxes do not fundamentally change the gameplay's skill component. However, Dutch courts disagreed, stating that the random chance involved and expenditure of real money classify loot boxes as gambling.
This legal determination aligns with actions taken by other European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands, which have already banned the sale of loot boxes within their borders. The Netherlands' court emphasized the vulnerability of young gamers and the potential for developing gambling addictions, prompting regulatory bodies to take a more stringent stance.