Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate the use of loot boxes in online games aimed at children.

Products, such as loot boxes, and other microtransactions in online games have to comply with consumer legislation which protects consumers of all ages from misleading and/or aggressive marketing. Consumers requiring advice should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/). Consumers living in Scotland should contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 (www.consumeradvice.scot/).

The government welcomed the introduction last year by the Video Standards Council Rating Board and PEGI (Pan European Game Information) of a new label for video games to warn parents where they include the potential to make in-game purchases such as loot boxes.

However, we are aware of concerns around loot boxes, and will continue to look closely at any evidence around this issue.