Spanish gambling regulator the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) has opened a consultation asking whether loot boxes should require new regulation, be regulated as gambling products or prohibited entirely.

The DGOJ pointed out that loot boxes have “quickly become a very relevant business model” in both paid and free-to-play games.

It said around half of mobile games and 35% of computer games contain the mechanic. Loot boxes are ‘blind-boxed’ items that players purchase for a fee, for the chance to obtain valuable in-game items.

It also said that loot boxes share many features with gambling products, including “near misses” and “ losses disguised as wins”.

It added that some countries such as Belgium have already opted to consider loot boxes gambling products, while others including Great Britain are looking further into the matter.