102135 - Rapid Evidence Assessment of Loot Boxes and Microtransactions in Video Games

The government takes concerns around harms in video games very seriously and in December 2019, committed to review online video games loot boxes alongside a wider review of the Gambling Act 2005.

To support this review of the Gambling Act 2005 and our wider programme of research about video games, and to ensure government policy is based on a sound understanding of the issue and its place in the wider policy framework, the government will run a public call for evidence on loot boxes. This was announced on 8 June 2020 in the government's response to the DCMS Select Committee Immersive and Addictive Technologies Inquiry report. The call for evidence will be launched during the summer with emerging conclusions expected by the end of 2020.

The call for evidence will examine a range of issues including the size and variation of the market, the design of mechanisms, the context in terms of other types of in-game spending, the impact on consumers and particularly young people including links to problem gambling, and the effectiveness of the current statutory and voluntary regulation.

The rapid evidence assessment specified in this Invitation to Tender will produce a literature review to support the public call for evidence, making a vital contribution to our analysis of loot boxes and wider microtransactions, and help us develop an effective and proportionate response that represents the best outcome for DCMS's aims. These are: protecting consumers - particularly children - and promoting business growth and innovation.