Bhushan, 2023

journal
law
Journal

Russian Law Journal

Date of Publication

December 31, 2022

There have been discussions about the potential legalization of online poker, which has a significant player base in the country. However, at the time of the knowledge cutoff, the legal status of online poker in Russia remained uncertain, with ongoing debates about its classification as a game of skill or chance.

[…]

In 2020, the FAS issued warnings to game developers, requiring them to disclose the odds of receiving items from loot boxes. This move aimed to increase transparency and protect consumers from misleading practices. However, as of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, Russia’s regulations focused primarily on transparency rather than outright bans or strict controls.

[…]

The Australian government’s inquiry into microtransactions in video games led to recommendations for implementing age restrictions and disclosure of odds for loot boxes. However, as of my last knowledge update in 2021, Australia had not classified loot boxes as gambling, but the discussion indicated a growing concern over their potential impact.

[…]

In India, the gaming industry has experienced rapid growth, and the government has started paying attention to the impact of loot boxes and microtransactions. While formal regulations specifically targeting loot boxes might not have been implemented as of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, Indian authorities have been exploring options for regulating online content, which could indirectly affect how loot boxes are handled.1

References

1Bhushan T. Regulation of online gambling in Russia: issue of loot boxes and microtransactions. Russian Law Journal. 2023;11(5):1122-1133. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/regulation-of-online-gambling-in-russia-issue-of-loot-boxes-and-microtransactions