The Australian Censorship Board (ACB) has announced new censorship rules about gambling content in video games. The ACB writes: Over the last decade, video games have increased and so has gambling-like content in these games. This
includes:
In-game purchases with an element of chance, such as paid loot boxes. These are mystery items players can use real money to buy, without knowing what item they will get. Simulated gambling including
casino-style video games.
Research has found that gambling-like content in video games is linked to problem gambling in real-life, as well as psychological and emotional harm. To address these findings the Australian Government has introduced new
classifications for video games containing gambling-like content. From 22 September 2024, the Australian Government has introduced new classifications to video games that contain gambling like content. These changes are in
response to growing community concern for children and research findings that links gambling-like content in video games to problem gambling in real-life, as well as psychological and emotional harm. The new classifications that
will be displayed for video games with gambling-like content are:
M (Mature, not recommended for children under 15) for computer games containing in-games purchases linked to elements of chance, including paid loot boxes (these are mystery items players can use real money to buy, without knowing
what item they will get) R 18+ (Restricted to adults 18 years and over) for computer games containing simulated gambling.
The changes will apply to games on computers, gaming consoles, phones and tablets. The consumer advice for new video games that contain gambling-like content will say:
Chance-based in-game purchases for video games containing in-game purchases linked to elements of chance, like loot-boxes. High-impact simulated gambling for video games
containing simulated gambling. Gambling themes for video games containing content which may resemble gambling, but does not meet the threshold for simulated gambling.
The new classifications will be applied to new video games. The new classifications will not be applied to existing games, unless they are updated with new content and need to be reclassified. | 
