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Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle Halts In-Game Purchases in Belgium to Comply With Gambling Laws
posted on by Karen Ressler
The Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle app announced on Wednesday that it will no longer offer "Dragon Stones" or "Summon Tickets" for purchase in Belgium. The staff explained that it is taking the step to comply with the Belgian Gaming Commission's declaration that "loot boxes" are a form of gambling, though it noted that it disagrees with this interpretation.
Like many free-to-play mobile games, Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle contains a "loot box" ("gacha") mechanic that allows players to use in-game currency — Dragon Stones or Summon Tickets — to summon random characters. While currency for summons can be earned in the game, it can also be purchased with real money. Players in Belgium will still be able to use the summon feature by spending Dragon Stones earned in game.
The Belgian Gaming Commission declared in April that the loot box mechanic violates the country's gambling laws. The commission investigated FIFA 18, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for use of this mechanic and declared that the games were illegal, so the publishers could face prison sentences or fines unless the mechanic was removed.
Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle launched for iOS and Android in Japan in 2015. Bandai Namco Entertainment also released an English version of the app in 2015.
Source: Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle app via Sūji de Miru Dokkan Battle
