Austrian Court Rules in Favor of EA, Deems FIFA Ultimate Team Packs Non-Gambling

A recent Austrian court ruling has favored Electronic Arts, determining that FIFA Ultimate Team packs do not constitute gambling. The Higher Regional Court of Vienna reached this verdict after considering the intent behind purchasing these packs, which the court found was for in-game use rather than profit generation. According to the court's interpretation of the Austrian Gaming Act, the absence of economic risk means that the transaction does not qualify as a game of chance. Furthermore, the court emphasized that FIFA Ultimate Team packs should be viewed within the context of the broader game, FIFA, which is categorized as a skill-based game rather than a chance-based one. This decision follows previous inconsistent rulings by lower Austrian courts and is deemed significant by EA, potentially setting a precedent for future cases. Although the ruling allows for an appeal to the Supreme Court, EA has expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that it aligns with their game design principles of choice, fairness, and fun. The company believes that optional in-game purchases, when implemented correctly, provide players with valuable choices and enhance their gaming experience. EA also noted that most players opt not to spend money, underscoring the optional nature of such purchases. Additionally, the company welcomed a similar decision by the Highest Administrative Court in the Netherlands, which ruled that FIFA Ultimate Team does not constitute gambling under Dutch law.