Video games that include loot boxes will soon receive a minimum age rating of 16 across Europe under new rules introduced by Pan-European Game Information (PEGI). The updated rating system, which will come into effect in June, aims to better inform parents and players about games that include paid random item systems. Loot boxes allow players to spend real or virtual currency for mystery rewards, a feature critics say blurs the line between gaming and gambling.

Under the revised guidelines, any game featuring “paid random items” will automatically receive a PEGI 16 rating, though some titles could be classified as PEGI 18 depending on their mechanics. Popular titles such as EA Sports FC could see their ratings increase under the new rules. PEGI ratings—3, 7, 12, 16, and 18—are used across 38 European countries, including the UK, to indicate age suitability rather than gameplay difficulty.

The changes also introduce new classifications for other in-game systems. Games with paid battle passes will receive at least a PEGI 12 rating, while titles that include non-fungible tokens will be rated PEGI 18. Meanwhile, games without options to report or block other players online may also receive an adult rating. Experts say the update is a step toward recognising gambling-like mechanics in modern games, although some critics argue the rules should also apply to existing titles to better protect young players.

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