Blizzard Removes Paid Loot Boxes in Belgium

Paid loot boxes are available in several games on the market around the world today. These are boxes that you buy with real money in the hopes of getting something cool in the game that you can use to improve your performance. You never know if you are going to get something cool or a box full of junk you already have. They sound very much like scratch-off lottery tickets.

In Europe, regulators have taken issue with loot boxes calling them a form of gambling. As such back in April Belgium’s Gambling Commission ruled that loot boxes in Blizzard games Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm dont comply with regulations reports PC Gamer.

Blizzard has announced that since the paid loot boxes dont comply it is simply removing them from both games in Belgium. Blizzard notes that players in that country will still be able to earn loot boxes by playing the games and will still have access to all in-game content.

“While we at Blizzard were surprised by this conclusion and do not share the same opinion, we have decided to comply with their interpretation of Belgian law,” Blizzard said in a statement. “As a result, we have no choice but to implement measures that will prevent Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm players located in Belgium from purchasing in-game loot boxes and loot chests with real money and gems.”