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Hong Kong faces calls to regulate loot boxes amid addiction concerns

A local player profile described spending HK$90,000 over six years on loot boxes, where randomized rewards can lead to repeated purchases even when single transactions are small.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Europe

Hong Kong is facing increasing calls for regulation of loot boxes as concerns grow that the randomized in-game purchases can fuel addiction-like behavior, according to SCMP Economy.

The outlet described the experience of a 28-year-old mobile gamer who said he began buying loot boxes in 2020 to improve his team’s performance. He said that while individual items can cost as little as HK$100, accumulating spending over time can become substantial.

SCMP Economy reported that the gamer said he has spent HK$90,000 on loot boxes over six years. He also attributed the behavior to gaming tactics he described as periodically releasing newer, stronger products and offering free draws after a set number of purchases, which he said can make continued spending feel inevitable if the desired items are not obtained.

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