In a landmark ruling, the Austrian Supreme Court has declared that loot boxes in FIFA Ultimate Team packs are not considered gambling under Austrian law. The decision comes after a lengthy legal battle between EA Sports, the creator of FIFA Ultimate Team, and a group of Austrian consumers who alleged that the in-game purchases constituted a form of illegal gambling.
The controversy surrounding FIFA Ultimate Team, a popular mode in the long-running FIFA video game series, centers around the use of random packs containing virtual cards that can be used to enhance a player’s team. Players can either earn these packs through gameplay or purchase them with real money. Critics argue that the randomness of the packs, coupled with the ability to spend real money on them, makes them akin to gambling.
However, the Austrian Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that the mechanics of FIFA Ultimate Team packs do not meet the legal definition of gambling in Austria. In a statement, the court cited the fact that players always receive a certain number of cards in each pack, making it more akin to a purchase of goods rather than a game of chance.
The court’s decision has far-reaching implications for the video game industry, which has faced increasing scrutiny over the use of loot boxes in recent years. Many countries have cracked down on the practice, with some even banning the sale of games that include them. The ruling in Austria, however, could set a precedent for how other countries view similar mechanics in video games.
EA Sports has welcomed the decision, stating that they have always believed that FIFA Ultimate Team packs are not gambling. The company has long defended the feature, pointing out that players can earn packs through gameplay and that the contents of the packs are disclosed upfront.
Despite the ruling in Austria, the debate over loot boxes in video games is far from over. Critics argue that they encourage addictive behavior and prey on vulnerable players, while supporters maintain that they are a legitimate form of monetization in an increasingly expensive industry.
As the debate continues to rage on, the Austrian Supreme Court’s decision will undoubtedly be a key point of reference for future legal battles over loot boxes in video games. Only time will tell how this ruling will impact the industry as a whole.
