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EA emerged victorious in a legal battle in Austria as the Higher Regional Court of Vienna concluded that FIFA 23 loot boxes do not meet the criteria to be classified as gambling.
According to Gamesindustry.biz, the court deemed that the player involved in the case obtained FIFA Ultimate Team packs for the sole purpose of in-game use, not with the intention of making a profit.
With no financial risk involved, the loot boxes were determined not to fall under the category of gambling as per Austrian law.
Furthermore, the court stated that FIFA Ultimate Team packs cannot be considered independently from the game itself, which is based on skill rather than chance.
This ruling comes after conflicting decisions from lower courts in Austria regarding loot boxes. The case may still be appealed to Austria’s Supreme Court.
Freedom of Choice and Fairness
EA released a statement in response to the court’s ruling, highlighting its significance in setting a precedent for future cases. The statement emphasized EA’s commitment to providing players with fair options and enjoyable gameplay experiences.
“We aim to offer players choice, fairness, value, and enjoyment in our games. We are pleased with the court’s verdict that FUT packs do not constitute gambling, as most players acquire them for the gameplay experience rather than financial gain,” the statement read.
“EA maintains that optional in-game purchases, when implemented responsibly, empower players to tailor their gaming experience. This ruling acknowledges that spending in games is always voluntary, and the majority of players opt not to make purchases.”
