Why do &quot;loot-crate&quot; mechanics in video games not fall under gambling laws?
<p>Many games nowadays have loot crate mechanics in place, that let the players test their luck. Typically the player is given the crate for free and can only open it by purchasing a "key". In some games you can buy both. </p>

<p>The player is essentially gambling because they do not know what they will get, and often it is the case that the player was after a rare item that drops at a much lower rate than others. This leads to players spending more money on crates and/or keys until they get lucky.</p>

<p>How is it that is not covered by gambling laws? Children under the legal gambling age(s) play these games, and this is not limited to 18+ games either. </p>

<p><strong>The only reasoning I can give is that it is because the player is guarenteed to win something, and as such it doesn't count as gambling (?).</strong></p>

<h2>Because there is no risk of loss</h2>

<p>Since you always win something, the mechanic is a "<a href="https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/lucky_dip" rel="nofollow noreferrer">lucky dip</a>" and these have never been considered gambling.</p>

gambling