Australia’s new rules on video games featuring loot boxes and “simulated gambling” content will come into effect on Sunday, September 22nd.
The measures are imposing stricter age restrictions on titles with gambling-like features or chance-based in-app purchases. The updated classification guidelines will automatically assign an R18+ rating to video games containing simulated gambling, effectively barring access to players under 18. Additionally, games featuring loot boxes or other in-game purchases with an element of chance will receive at least an M rating, restricting access to those aged 15 and above.
These regulations, first announced in 2023, will only apply to games classified after September 22nd, 2024. Existing games won’t need reclassification unless they undergo major updates or changes. Titles with chance-based mechanics that do not involve real-world currency or interactive gambling elements will be exempt from the new rules.
Although the M rating for games with loot boxes serves as a warning, it does not legally restrict their sale. Parents are encouraged to monitor the content their children access. Games featuring non-interactive gambling imagery or themes will also remain exempt from the stricter guidelines.
The changes are a response to a government inquiry led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, which examined the potential harm of online gambling and loot boxes on minors and problem gamblers. The inquiry also raised concerns about the growing influence of sports betting advertisements on vulnerable groups.
The findings have sparked wider discussions about the need for more extensive gambling regulations, with some advocates calling for a nationwide ban on sports betting ads. The new rules represent Australia’s first significant step toward addressing concerns about gambling-related content in video games and the impact on younger players.
