Latest News
Blockchain could help legalise the loot boxes
Loot boxes, which have been in existence for about a decade, have run into legal problems in countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium. The redeemable virtual rewards system, which involves accessing maps, weapons and a whole range of upgrades to your in-game functionality, had already become so popular that some developers have wholly shifted their monetisation models away from paid-for-games to free-to-play games because of the revenue they provide.
But the legal issues are threatening the core business model of loot boxes. That is why developers are thinking of reverting to a business model based on advertising or selling games rather than giving them away for free.
However, there can be another option. Rather than making such a drastic U-turn, they could find salvation in the shape of the blockchain. By implementing a new tokenised economic model that this technology provides, game developers could not only continue to make money without having to rely on advertising but also implement a system that would reward gamers for the time they spend playing games.
The problem with loot boxes
Loot boxes first emerged in Asia, but have become more well-known after social game developers like Zynga successfully implemented them. Since then, loot boxes have slowly begun to embed themselves into the fabric of most games, even where their incorporation seems unnecessary. Then loot boxes’ presence in triple-A console games like Overwatch, Battlefront 2, and Shadow of War ramped up their presence in terms of public awareness.
When an entry fee or cost is present in a gaming monetisation scheme, along with luck or chance, and the potential for some type of monetary gain, the scheme is almost definitely going to be considered gambling as a result of those three key elements. Since loot boxes have both a cost and a “random element,” they have landed game makers in hot water with regulators. The cash purchase of these boxes, for regulators in the Netherlands and Belgium, resembles gambling – and is therefore an illegal offering.
While companies like EA have said they will persist with loot boxes, confident that other regulators do not see the situation in the same way as the Belgian or the Dutch authorities, there is no guarantee that other authorities would not act to quash them.
Blockchain as a solution
Rather than putting these key revenue flows at risk though, one potential path that publishers could pursue is to leverage a new form of blockchain monetisation. For example, my company, Loot, has a new mining process that leverages player skill to generate new units of cryptocurrency instead of GPU or CPU mining.
All blockchain networks have some sort of incentive mechanism built into them, which helps the network to function properly. In the case of Bitcoin, this is the proof of work algorithm that keeps the network secure and trustworthy by making it hard to add new transaction data to the blockchain. For game networks, the algorithm could be based not on computational power, but gameplay and the “work” done by players. This would eliminate the initial entry fee, which would prevent regulators from labelling it gambling.
Even though you can already earn virtual currencies within games, cryptocurrencies that are mined and awarded as a result of gameplay are a unique new solution because traditional virtual currencies in games have no value outside of the game, while cryptocurrencies hold their value everywhere. This is the key, because if the coins players spend in the game to buy loot boxes and other items have real value outside of the game, the developers can accept their own in-game coins as real payment for their items. This solves the problem of traditional entry fees and ultimately eliminates the consumer risk that is arguably the most important of the three elements that define what is gambling and what is not.
From the game publisher’s perspective, this would mean they could continue to offer loot boxes but just have them paid for with cryptocurrency that gamers have mined and earned from their skill in play, instead of with real money.
For example, in Overwatch players are currently unable to spend in-game credits and have to spend real money or wait for a level up to grab a loot box. If the in-game credits were a cryptocurrency generated on a blockchain as a result of player skill, Blizzard could accept the credits as payment (at no cost to the user) and exchange the credits for dollars like any other cryptocurrency. This means the players do not have to spend any of their “real” money while the developer has the same revenue they did before.
As publishers and developers consider the effect that loot box regulation might have on profits, they should consider blockchain technology as a potential solution. Publishers should understand that this innovative new technology could safeguard existing revenue streams and also incentivise gamers to play more.
Tobias Batton is CEO of Signal Zero. The company behind Loot, the world’s first blockchain protocol that allows gamers to earn and mine tradable tokens as a result of their skill and without entry fees.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

Latest News
National Platform Expands Its International Network of Partners: Memorandum Signed with IBIA
Reading Time: < 1 minute
The National Platform of Sports Integrity of Ukraine and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) have signed a memorandum of understanding.
IBIA is the is the leading global voice on integrity for the regulated betting industry. It brings together more than 90 sports betting operators and over 200 brands across six continents. IBIA’s global monitoring network tracks over USD 300 billion in betting activity annually, detecting suspicious patterns in real time.
The organisation works closely with major international sports institutions such as FIFA, UEFA and the IOC, as well as with national gambling regulators worldwide.
The signing of the Memorandum opens new opportunities for the National Platform in identifying and countering sports competition manipulation, in particular:
- access to IBIA’s Monitoring and Alert Platform;
- the ability to receive alerts on suspicious betting patterns related to matches involving Ukrainian teams or athletes; and
- strengthened international cooperation on sports integrity.
The National Platform stated: “Cooperation with IBIA allows us to integrate into the global system for safeguarding sports integrity. For Ukraine, this represents a qualitatively new level of detection and prevention of competition manipulation. We gain access to advanced international response mechanisms and become part of the worldwide network fighting corruption in sport.”
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA stated: “IBIA is delighted to be able to reach this important agreement with the Ukraine National Platform for combating competition manipulation. The move maintains our approach of widening our global integrity collaborations and partnerships and aligns with our Mission 2030 strategic objectives.”
The post National Platform Expands Its International Network of Partners: Memorandum Signed with IBIA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Ygam achieve milestone of reaching 5 million young people
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Ygam has now surpassed the milestone of reaching an estimated five million children and young people across the UK through its portfolio of prevention programmes.
Founded in 2014, Ygam has now delivered its award-winning training and resources on gaming and gambling harms to over 32,000 delegates.
Ygam’s reach extends beyond the education sector, with training delivered to more than 5,500 professionals working across health and social care — including hospitals, health boards, GP surgeries, and community nursing settings. This work, aligned with a public health approach to preventing gambling harms, has directly contributed to the digital safeguarding of nearly half a million children and young people accessing health services.
With growing concerns from parents and carers about the role of gaming and gambling in the wider online safety conversation, Ygam has become a trusted and respected source of advice and guidance for families. The charity has delivered workshops to more than 4,500 parents and carers.
Ygam is a national charity with a footprint across every region of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and a presence in 64 of the UK’s 76 cities.
Ygam’s work has also seen a significant increase in the longevity of its reach, with nearly 100,000 resource downloads of its award-winning resources, and at least 50% of educators implementing these materials into their lessons.
Helen Martin, Interim CEO of Ygam, said: “This milestone is more than just a number – it’s a reflection of the positive impact we’re making in every corner of the UK. We’re incredibly proud of the growing community that shares our passion for safeguarding children’s wellbeing in an increasingly complex digital world, where gaming and gambling are more accessible than ever. From schools to sports clubs, parents to practitioners, and colleges to community centres, we’re raising awareness through the powerful tool of education. As we mark this extraordinary achievement, the demand for our resources has never been greater. We remain committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact, ensuring that every child has the knowledge and confidence to navigate the risks of gaming and gambling harms.”
But there’s so much more to do – help us reach the next 5 million…
The post Ygam achieve milestone of reaching 5 million young people appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Boomerang Partners set to shine at SiGMA Europe 2025 with sports-themed booth activities and the Golden Boomerang League winners celebration
From November 4th to 6th, 2025, Boomerang Partners will participate in SiGMA Europe 2025 in Rome, one of the most important events in the world for the affiliate marketing and iGaming industry. The company’s booth 5046 G will be a focal point, thanks to the signature ‘Boomerang Arena’ concept.
The ‘Boomerang Arena’ symbolizes the strong connection between sports and technological innovations, and reflects Boomerang Partners’ focus on the sports aspect of their business. The booth will be divided into several themed zones dedicated to football, golf, tennis, and boxing, as well as a location for sports-related interactive experiences.
Booth 5046 G will be the must-visit hub for SiGMA Europe 2025’s guests for many reasons. Boomerang Partners is preparing a variety of activities that are sure to generate heightened interest from booth visitors. They can look forward to various sports-related interactive experiences, mini-games, table tennis activity, and a unique gift auction. Details about the participation conditions will be announced later. Stay tuned for updates.
On November 5th, Boomerang Partners will ceremoniously announce and award the winners of its first sports traffic tournament, the Golden Boomerang League. It runs from September 1st to October 31st and is designed for both current and new affiliate partners of the company. The prizes include direct entry into the annual global tournament, the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026, and two all-expenses-paid AC Milan Experience packages, which include flights, accommodations, and tickets to a match at the San Siro Stadium. Boomerang Partners will provide this opportunity as the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan.
Book a meeting with Boomerang Partners’ managers now to learn about collaboration opportunities. There are only a few slots left.
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. The agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.
The agency’s client portfolio contains 13+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.
-
Latest News3 months ago
Light & Wonder to Participate in the 2025 Australasian Gaming Expo
-
Latest News2 months ago
ReferOn Shortlisted for Acquisition & Retention Partner of the Year at SBC Lisbon 2025
-
Latest News3 months ago
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion
-
Latest News2 months ago
Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition.
-
Latest News2 months ago
BC.GAME Launches “Nezha” Slot with Up to 46,656 Ways to Win and 10,000x Max Payout
-
Latest News3 months ago
Uzbekistan Introduces Penalties for Illegal Gambling Operations
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
Announcement: 25th September 2025
-
Latest News2 months ago
NODWIN Gaming Acquires Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Stake in Evo; Becomes Majority Holder
You must be logged in to post a comment Login