Global Loot Box Regulations: A Year of Progress and Challenges in 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, the landscape of loot box regulations continues to evolve. This year, Brazil became the latest country to ban loot boxes for minors, while Australia implemented new rules requiring games with loot boxes to be rated at least M. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission settled with Cognosphere, the distributor of Genshin Impact, over allegations of deceptive practices. The settlement highlights the need for transparency and fairness in loot box design, with Cognosphere agreeing to implement changes such as disclosing accurate probabilities and prohibiting the sale of loot boxes to under-16s without parental consent. Meanwhile, the European Commission published guidelines on protecting minors from loot boxes, and the UK government's research on the issue is pending. As regulations become increasingly complex, companies must stay informed and adapt to ensure compliance and avoid future headaches.