Starting September 22, 2024, the Australian Government will enforce new mandatory classifications for video games featuring gambling-like elements. The new guidelines will apply across all gaming platforms to games that consist entirely of simulated gambling activities or include interactive mini-games such as slot machines or roulette within larger titles.
The new “mandatory classifications” will align video game ratings with existing age restrictions for real-world gambling. This initiative aims to protect younger players from exposure to gambling behaviours in video games, specifically focusing on simulated gambling and chance-based in-game purchases like loot boxes. Here’s what you need to know:
Simulated Gambling (R 18+ Rating)
Video games that include simulated gambling will now receive a mandatory R 18+ rating, meaning they can only be sold or distributed to adults aged 18 or older. The R 18+ rating is not just advisory—it’s a legal restriction, making it illegal to sell or distribute these games to anyone under 18, and applies to:
- Social casino games that solely consist of simulated gambling activities such as slot machine simulators, roulette wheels or other age-restricted gambling or betting services
- Video games that have interactive activities such as slot machine simulators, roulette wheels or other age-restricted gambling or betting services as part of a broader game (e.g. an RPG which features a slot machine mini-game that players can interact and play with)
For example, titles like Pokémon Red and Blue (with slot machines in the Game Corner) and Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics (featuring Texas Hold ‘Em Poker) will be rated R 18+. However, games that only showcase non-interactive gambling themes will not be affected; only interactive elements are subject to these rules.
Loot Boxes & In-Game Purchases (M Rating)
Video games with in-game purchases linked to chance-based elements, including paid loot boxes or randomized rewards, will receive a minimum M rating. This rating is advisory, suggesting suitability for players over 15, but carries no legal restrictions for younger players. This includes:
- Games that allow direct purchases of loot boxes or randomized rewards using real-world currency.
- Games where players can buy in-game currency with real money to unlock randomized rewards or unlock loot boxes.
- Games that enable purchases of keys or other items with real or in-game currency used to open loot boxes.
Titles such as EA Sports FC25 and Apex Legends fall clearly into this category, as do more casual games like Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp with its in-game purchases.
Exemptions from New Regulations
Not all games will be impacted by these new regulations as new guidelines will apply only to new games released from September 22, 2024. Also, games featuring chance-based mechanics or rewards without involving real-world currency—directly or indirectly—will not be affected. For instance, titles that offer random rewards without requiring players to spend actual money fall outside the new classification rules. Additionally, games that display casino-like settings or imagery, but do not permit interactive gambling will also avoid reclassification.
Existing video games will not be reclassified unless they are re-released or updated to include new simulated gambling content. For instance, if a game introduces a poker mini-game or loot boxes through an expansion or DLC after September 22, 2024, it will then be required to adhere to the updated classification guidelines.
Context and Industry Perspectives
Australia has long sought to limit gambling-like features in video games, and this latest move is a response to growing concerns about the potential long-term effects on children. Research indicates that exposure to such content can lead to problematic gambling behaviours in real life, which prompted a comprehensive review of Australia’s classification regulations in 2020. The review culminated in the development of these new guidelines, now approved by the Standing Council of Attorneys-General, committing to protect the younger generation from potentially harmful gaming experiences. In past years, several high-profile games, including DayZ, RimWorld 2, and We Happy Few, have faced pushback or even been banned in Australia. Hotline Miami 2, for instance, was banned entirely, with the game’s creator encouraging fans to pirate it instead.
However, the gaming industry has expressed disappointment regarding these changes. The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association of Australia has emphasized the need for clarity in the application of these regulations, committing to work with government departments to ensure a mutual understanding of their nuances. Despite industry concerns, these changes reflect a global trend of increasing scrutiny on gambling mechanics in games, similar to ongoing discussions in the UK and the US. As Australia grapples with the highest gambling losses per capita worldwide, these classifications aim to mitigate early exposure to gambling behaviours in video games, ensuring that future releases adhere to stricter standards.
To learn more, check out this FAQ document!
Words by Khushboo Malhotra
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