Danish regulator begins video game gambling education effort

Danish gambling regulator Spillemyndigheden has launched a new initiative aimed at improving public knowledge of gambling linked to video games, namely skin betting and so-called loot boxes.

Spillemyndigheden has seen an increase in the number of parents contacting the regulator over concerns related to skin betting and loot boxes, it said, with many that do get in touch having limited or no knowledge of such activities.

Loot boxes offer random rewards and can be acquired by players either through gameplay or by spending real money, while skin betting allows gamers to use virtual items from the games as collateral for wagering. 

Spillemyndigheden has been particularly keen to crack down on skin betting over the past year, due to concerns that it may encourage underage gambling. In April it revealed it had successfully petitioned the country’s telecommunications providers to block access to 15 of these sites.

The regulator will deliver free presentations to help boost awareness of skin betting and loot boxes and set out its own rules and regulations for such activities.

It will focus on three key target groups: parents and other interested parties; children and adolescents under 18; and a combination of children and their parents. Sessions will take place at various locations such as school, sports club and esports association venues.

“We would like to tell children and young people, as well as parents and other interested parties, about the framework and rules for skin betting and loot boxes,” Spillemyndigheden explained. “We pay special attention to when it comes to money games.”

Image: Max Pixel