Media Features: 2025

Link to all previous media features in 2023

1. RNZ. (2025, June 10). Broadcasting Standards Authority upholds RNZ broadcast. RNZ. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/563678/broadcasting-standards-authority-upholds-rnz-broadcast

2. de Rochefort, S. (2025, June 3). Nobody understands gambling, especially in video games. Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/features/602800/gambling-video-games-balatro-luck-be-a-landlord

3. Jiménez, E. (2025, June 2). Pay to win: Los videojuegos que construyen una nueva generación adicta a las apuestas [Pay to win: The video games that are creating a new generation addicted to gambling]. Zona Docs. https://www.zonadocs.mx/2025/06/02/pay-to-win/

4. Newman, M. (2025, June 2). Apple's settlement prompts Belgian court to drop EU loot box liability questions. MLex, LexisNexis. https://www.mlex.com/mlex/articles/2347861/apple-s-settlement-prompts-belgian-court-to-drop-eu-loot-box-liability-questions

   • The Antwerp Commercial Court had said in a social media post [in response to Leon’s social media post] that a settlement in the case had made the referral to the EU court “moot, so the court withdrew the referral.”

5. Figueiredo, P. (2025, May 30). UK gaming sector pushes back against study criticizing loot box use. MLex, LexisNexis. https://www.mlex.com/mlex/data-privacy-security/articles/2347125/uk-gaming-sector-pushes-back-against-study-criticizing-loot-box-use ($)

6. Collins-Walsh, C. (2025, May 29). Research reveals “non-existent” enforcement of industry-led standards on loot boxes. 5Rights Foundation. https://5rightsfoundation.com/research-reveals-non-existent-enforcement-of-industry-led-standards-on-loot-boxes/

7. 5Rights Foundation. (2025, May 29). 0 out of the 100-top grossing games for iPhone in the UK used effective age verification. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7333789719513681920/

8. de Rochefort, S. (2025, May 28). Nobody understands gambling, especially in video games. Polygon YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/k1NuQ5yrspQ?si=1rW9mLXov8ELTQi3&t=799

9. Castro, A. (2025, May 28). El nuevo estudio encuentra incumplimiento rampante y no cumplimiento [New study finds rampant noncompliance and non-compliance]. Revista La Velez. https://www.lavelez.com.ar/technology/el-nuevo-estudio-encuentra-incumplimiento-rampante-y-no-cumplimiento/66713/

10. Life Technology. (2025, May 27). UK loot box self-regulation fails: New study finds rampant non-compliance and no enforcement. Life Technology. https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/uk-loot-box-self-regulation-fails-new-study-finds-rampant-non-compliance-and-no-enforcement

11. Clark, G., & Egan, R. (2025, May 27). UK loot box self-regulation fails: New study finds rampant non-compliance and no enforcement. TechXplore. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-05-uk-loot-rampant-compliance.html

12. Jiménez, E., & Palacios, J.D. (2025, May 26). Pay to win: Los video juegos que construyen una nueva generación adicta a las apuestas [Pay to win: The video games that are creating a new generation addicted to gambling]. POPLab.mx. https://poplab.mx/posts/pay-to-win-los-videojuegos-que-construyen-una-nueva-generacion-adicta-a-las-apuestas/ / https://youtu.be/IZiciCYVuIc

13. Krul, H. (2025, May 17). Har­men: Bescherm kin­de­ren beter tegen ver­sla­ven­de tele­foon­spel­len [Harmen: Protect children better against addictive telephone games]. Christen-Democratisch Appèl [Christian Democratic Appeal] (CDA). https://www.cda.nl/nieuws/harmen-bescherm-kinderen-beter-tegen-verslavende-telefoonspellen/

14. Krul, H. (2025, May 17). Strenger toezicht online games is keihard nodig [Stricter supervision of online games is desperately needed]. Algemeen Dagblad (AD), 17.

15. Ivanišević, B., & Tadić, S. (2025, May 15). Dutch advertising authority finds violations in Rush Royale’s use of loot boxes and in-game ads. BDK Advokati / Lexology. https://bdkadvokati.com/dutch-advertising-authority-finds-violations-in-rush-royales-use-of-loot-boxes-and-in-game-ads/ / https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=5f29c7dc-8c27-47ac-a5b3-3e76b2780b60 

16. Ryan, J. (2025, May 10). Does video game monetisation harm children - and what is Australia doing about it?. The Guardian (US Edition), 41–42.

17. Kleine, F. (2025, May 9). O que a Austrália está fazendo para interromper os danos causados ​​pelo dinheiro dos videogames? [What is Australia doing to stop the harm caused by video game money?]. Jornal Em Destaque. https://www.jornalemdestaque.com/tecnologia/o-que-a-australia-esta-fazendo-para-interromper-os-danos-causados-pelo-dinheiro-dos-videogames/34961/

18. Wang, F. (2025, May 9). 父母小心！加拿大一些青少年沉迷于网络游戏中的道具箱“开盲盒”，此游戏会导致他们染上赌瘾 [Parents beware! Some Canadian teenagers are addicted to opening blind boxes in online games, which can lead to gambling addiction]. 大中资讯网 [Chinese News Group]. https://www.chinesenewsgroup.com/news/679647

19. Ryan, J. (2025, May 9). Does video game monetisation harm children – and what is Australia doing about it?. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/may/10/does-video-game-monetisation-harm-children-and-what-is-australia-doing-about-it

20. Op de Woerd, F. (2025, May 9). België trekt zaak tegen Apple over loot boxes in: geen uitspraak EU-Hof [Belgium withdraws case against Apple over loot boxes: no ruling from EU Court]. CasinoNieuws.nl. https://www.casinonieuws.nl/wetgeving/belgie-trekt-zaak-tegen-apple-over-loot-boxes-in-geen-uitspraak-eu-hof/

21. Ranson, A. (2025, May 6). Canadian teens are getting hooked on this gateway to gambling in online games. The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-teens-are-getting-hooked-on-this-gateway-to-gambling-in/

22. Muhammad, I. (2025, April 24). Dutch ad regulator rules against My.Games over in-game purchase disclosures. PocketGamer.biz. https://www.pocketgamer.biz/dutch-ad-regulator-rules-against-mygames-over-in-game-purchase-disclosures/

23. Mankar, S. (2025, April 24). Dutch Watchdog Upholds Complaint Against Rush Royale Developer Over In-Game Monetization. Gaming Amigos. https://www.gamingamigos.com/post/dutch-complaint-rush-royale

24. Menoger, E. (2025, April 24). MY.GAMES нарушила требования к лутбоксам и рекламе игр в Нидерландах [MY.GAMES violated lootbox and game advertising requirements in the Netherlands]. PlayGround.ru. https://www.playground.ru/misc/news/my_games_narushila_trebovaniya_k_lutboksam_i_reklame_igr_v_niderlandah-1766398

25. Michaelis, L. (2025, April 24). My.Games Naruszyło Wymagania Dotyczące Lutboxów I Reklamy Gier W Holandii [My.Games violated the requirements for lutboxes and game advertising in the Netherlands]. Gamingdeputy Poland. https://www.gamingdeputy.com/pl/gaming-news/my-games-naruszylo-wymagania-dotyczace-lutboxow-i-reklamy-gier-w-holandii/

26. Zan. (2025, April 24). Издатель MY.GAMES недобросовестно рекламировал Rush Royale в Голландии, но после предписания исправил все недочеты [Publisher MY.GAMES advertised Rush Royale in the Netherlands in bad faith, but corrected all the shortcomings after being ordered to do so]. GoHa.Ru. https://www.goha.ru/izdatel-mygames-nedobrosovestno-reklamiroval-rush-royale-v-gollandii-manipuliruya-informaciej-o-lutboksah-dN0zLa

27. Mauritsz, J. (2025, April 24). My.Games moet zich aan de Nederlandse Reclame Code houden [My.Games must adhere to the Dutch Advertising Code]. Gameliner. https://gameliner.nl/nieuws/mygames-moet-zich-aan-de-nederlandse-reclame-code-houden/50570

28. App2Top. (2025, April 24). MY.GAMES violated the requirements for loot boxes and game advertising in the Netherlands. App2Top.com. https://app2top.com/news/my-games-violated-the-requirements-for-loot-boxes-and-game-advertising-in-the-netherlands-279954.html

29. Гайфуллина, Е. [Gaifullina, E.]. (2025, April 24). MY.GAMES нарушила требования к лутбоксам и рекламе игр в Нидерландах [MY.GAMES violated lootbox and game advertising requirements in the Netherlands]. App2Top.ru. https://app2top.ru/news/my-games-narushila-trebovaniya-k-lutboksam-i-reklame-igr-v-niderlandah-230008.html

30. Roberts, S. (2025, April 23). Dutch advertising self-regulator partially upholds loot box complaint against My.Games. GamesIndustry.biz. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/dutch-advertising-self-regulator-partially-upholds-loot-box-complaint-against-mygames

31. Hasan, Z., & York, A. (2025, April 4). Under 30 Alums From Zuckerberg To Rihanna Made This Year’s Billionaires List. You Won’t Believe Who Else Made It. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/zoyahasan/2025/04/04/under-30-alums-from-zuckerberg-to-rihanna-made-this-years-billionaires-list-you-wont-believe-who-else-made-it/

32. Espinosa Ballen, C. (2025, April 2). Videojuegos y salud mental: Mitos, verdades y recomendaciones [Video games and mental health: Myths, truths, and recommendations]. Consultorsalud. https://consultorsalud.com/videojuegos-salud-mental-mitos-verdades/

33. RNZ. (2025, April 1). RNZ correction. The Otago Daily Times, 3.

34. RNZ. (2025, March 31). Media Council upholds complaint about in-game loot box ban article. RNZ. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/corrections/556663/media-council-upholds-complaint-about-in-game-loot-box-ban-article / https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/556663/media-council-upholds-complaint-about-in-game-loot-box-ban-article

35. Hardwick, T., & Carter, M. (2025, March 23). ‘Literally just child gambling’: what kids say about Roblox, lootboxes and money in online games. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/literally-just-child-gambling-what-kids-say-about-roblox-lootboxes-and-money-in-online-games-250387

36. 박솔잎 [Solip, P.]. (2025, March 15). 확률형 아이템, 유럽은 어떻게 규제할까? [Probabilistic items: how will Europe regulate them?]. 프레시안 [Pressian]. https://www.pressian.com/pages/articles/2025031412140213929

37. Michaelis, L. (2025, March 13). Meta Under Fire in Belgio per presunti pubblicità di gioco illegali nei videogiochi [Meta under fire in Belgium over alleged illegal gambling ads in video games]. Gamingdeputy Italy. https://www.gamingdeputy.com/it/news/meta-under-fire-in-belgio-per-presunti-pubblicita-di-gioco-illegali-nei-videogiochi/

38. Williams, E. (2025, March 13). Meta unter Beschuss in Belgien über mutmaßliche illegale Glücksspielanzeigen in Videospielen [Meta under fire in Belgium over alleged illegal gambling ads in video games]. Gamingdeputy Germany. https://www.gamingdeputy.com/gr/meta-unter-beschuss-in-belgien-ueber-mutmassliche-illegale-gluecksspielanzeigen-in-videospielen/

39. Bates, K. (2025, March 13). Meta sous le feu en Belgique sur des annonces de jeu illégales présumées dans les jeux vidéo [Meta under fire in Belgium over alleged illegal gambling ads in video games]. Gamingdeputy France. https://www.gamingdeputy.com/fr/meta-sous-le-feu-en-belgique-sur-des-annonces-de-jeu-illegales-presumees-dans-les-jeux-video/

40. Кожемякін, С. [Kozhemyakin, S.]. (2025, March 12). Meta знову під ударом: як реклама у Facebook та Instagram порушила бельгійські закони [Meta under attack again: how Facebook and Instagram ads violated Belgian laws]. Obozrevatel. Ukaranian: https://finance.obozrevatel.com/ukr/meta-znovu-pid-udarom-yak-reklama-u-facebook-ta-instagram-porushila-belgijski-zakoni.htm

41. Кожемякін, С. [Kozhemyakin, S.]. (2025, March 12). Meta снова под ударом: как реклама в Facebook и Instagram нарушила бельгийские законы [Meta under attack again: how Facebook and Instagram ads violated Belgian laws]. Obozrevatel. Russian: https://finance.obozrevatel.com/meta-snova-pod-udarom-kak-reklama-v-facebook-i-instagram-narushila-belgijskie-zakonyi.htm

42. Jimmy. (2025, March 12). Meta dans la tourmente : des publicités illégales sur les loot boxes en Belgique ! [Meta in turmoil: illegal loot box advertising in Belgium!]. CasinosBelges.be. https://www.casinosbelges.be/actualites/424-meta-dans-tourmente-des-publicites-illegales-sur-les-loot-boxes-belgique.html

43. Wilson, B. (2025, March 11). Meta Under Fire in Belgium Over Alleged Illegal Gambling Ads in Video Games. COG Connected. https://cogconnected.com/2025/03/meta-under-fire-in-belgium-over-alleged-illegal-gambling-ads-in-video-games/

44. Редактор uGame. (2025, March 7). Meta Цукерберга звинувачують у розміщенні незаконної реклами азартних ігор у відеоіграх у Бельгії [Meta Zuckerberg accused of placing illegal gambling ads in video games in Belgium]. uGame. https://www.ugame.in.ua/novini/meta-czukerberga-zvynuvachuyut-u-rozmishhenni-nezakonnoyi-reklamy-azartnyh-igor-u-videoigrah-u-belgiyi/

45. Zimmermann, K. (2025, March 5). Bericht: Face­book schal­tete ille­gale Glücks­spiel­werbung in Belgien [Report: Facebook placed illegal gambling ads in Belgium]. Casino.org. https://www.casino.org/de/nachrichten/illegale-facebook-gluecksspielwerbung-in-belgien/

46. МИХАИЛ Б. [Mikhail B.]. (2025, March 4). META* УЛИЧИЛИ В НЕЗАКОННОЙ РЕКЛАМЕ ЛУТБОКСОВ В БЕЛЬГИИ [META* CAUGHT ILLEGALLY PROMOTING LOOT BOXES IN BELGIUM]. SPORTCLAN. https://sportclan.ru/blog/meta-ulichili-v-nezakonnoj-reklame-lutboksov-v-belgii/

47. Jeu Legal Belgique. (2025, March 4). Meta accusée de promouvoir des loot boxes illégales en Belgique [Meta accused of promoting illegal loot boxes in Belgium]. Jeu Legal Belgique. https://www.jeu-legal-belgique.be/actu-casino-meta-accusee-de-promouvoir-des-loot-boxes-illegales-en-belgique.html

48. Jeu Argent. (2025, March 4). Publicités illégales pour des Loot boxes : Meta dans le viseur des autorités belges [Illegal advertisements for loot boxes: Meta in the sights of Belgian authorities]. Jeu Argent. https://www.jeu-argent.be/article-Loot-box-Meta-accuse-de-promouvoir-des-publicites-illegales-en-Belgique.html

49. Maes, A. (2025, March 4). Meta Accused of Promoting Illegal Gambling in Belgium Through Mobile Game Ads. Press Editorials. https://presseditorials.com/meta-accused-of-promoting-illegal-gambling-in-belgium-through-mobile-game-ads/

50. Porter, M. (2025, March 4). Meta Accused of Running Illegal Loot Box Ads in Belgium. Gambling News. https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/meta-accused-of-running-illegal-loot-box-ads-in-belgium/.

51. Redactie Data News. (2025, March 4). Meta diffuse des publicités pour des extensions de jeux vidéo réglementées en Belgique [Meta runs ads for regulated video game add-ons in Belgium]. DataNews, Le Vif. French: https://datanews.levif.be/actualite/belgique/meta-diffuse-des-publicites-pour-des-extensions-de-jeux-video-reglementees-en-belgique/.

52. Redactie Data News. (2025, March 4). 172 gamingbedrijven met illegale lootboxes betalen Meta voor advertenties aan Belgen [172 gaming companies with illegal loot boxes pay Meta for advertisements to Belgians]. DataNews, Knack. Flemish: https://datanews.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/172-gamingbedrijven-met-illegale-lootboxes-betalen-meta-voor-advertenties-aan-belgen/

53. La rédaction avec Belga. (2025, March 3). Meta a diffusé des publicités illégales en Belgique [Meta broadcast illegal advertisements in Belgium]. BruxellesToday. https://www.bruxellestoday.be/actualite/meta-publicites-illegales-belgique.html.

54. The Brussels Times with Belga. (2025, March 3). Meta accused of running illegal gambling ads on video games in Belgium. The Brussels Times. https://www.brusselstimes.com/business/1470033/meta-accused-of-running-illegal-gambling-ads-on-video-games-in-belgium.

55. Belga. (2025, March 3). Meta a été payé pour diffuser des publicités jugées illégales en Belgique [Meta was paid to broadcast advertisements deemed illegal in Belgium]. Le Soir. https://www.lesoir.be/659131/article/2025-03-03/meta-ete-paye-pour-diffuser-des-publicites-jugees-illegales-en-belgique.

56. Belga. (2025, March 3). 172 gamingbedrijven met illegale 'lootboxes' betalen Meta voor advertenties aan Belgen [172 gaming companies with illegal 'loot boxes' pay Meta for advertisements to Belgians]. Belga. https://www.msn.com/nl-be/nieuws/nationaal/172-gamingbedrijven-met-illegale-lootboxes-betalen-meta-voor-advertenties-aan-belgen/ar-AA1A9fYN.

57. Greo. (2025, February 27). Knowledge Snapshot: The transparency of loot box advertising on Meta and TikTok. Greo. https://www.greo.ca/Modules/EvidenceCentre/Details/the-transparency-of-loot-box-advertising-on-meta-and-tiktok.

58. Voigts, M. (2025, February 27). Copyright news (27 Feb). Copyright and the Public Interest. https://copyrightnews.substack.com/p/copyright-news-27-feb.

59. Long, N. (2025, February 25). Accusations fly as researcher claims UK loot box regulations are failing. Mobilegamer.biz. https://mobilegamer.biz/accusations-fly-as-researcher-claims-uk-loot-box-regulations-are-failing/.

60. BA Fashion Communication @ Central Saint Martins. (2025, February 23). On Pop Mart! @thanaazhisham shadowed Yuhan Li a superfan with over 250+ collectables, and spoke with Leon Xiao, a researcher who raised an important question: Are blind boxes just a fun hobby, or do they resemble gambling? 🤔. BA Fashion Communication @ Central Saint Martins Instagram Account. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGbbxXwN8R4/.

61. Luisetti, A., Dowd, C., Pardy, T., & Flanagan, L. (2025, February 22). 'The same feeling as gambling': Loot boxes are pulling young gamers into the world of betting. TheJournal.ie. https://www.thejournal.ie/unregulated-loot-boxes-young-gamers-world-of-gambling-6628051-Feb2025/

62. Ingeniøren. (2025, February 19). PhD defence by Leon Y. Xiao. Ingeniøren. https://ing.dk/note/phd-defence-leon-y-xiao

63. Muncaster, P. (2025, February 18). ¿Videojuegos o juegos de azar? El problema de las loot boxes y microtransacciones [Video games or games of chance? The problem with loot boxes and microtransactions]. WeLiveSecurity. https://www.welivesecurity.com/es/seguridad-menores/videojuegos-loot-boxes-microtrasacciones-riesgos-apuestas/

64. Kaur, T. (2025, February 18). I Will Never Understand The Live Service Obsession With Skins. TheGamer. https://www.thegamer.com/overwatch-loot-boxes-live-service-obsession-skins/

65. AppleMagazine. (2025, February 13). Belgian Court Asks for Clarification on Loot Boxes in Mobile Games. AppleMagazine. https://applemagazine.com/belgian-court-asks-for-clarification-on-loot-boxes-in-mobile-games/

66. WeLiveSecurity. (2025, February 13). Gaming or gambling? Lifting the lid on in-game loot boxes. WeLiveSecurity. https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/kids-online/gaming-gambling-lifting-lid-in-game-loot-boxes/

67. Simmons, F. (2025, February 13). Overwatch 2 to Reintroduce Loot Boxes Due to Popular Demand. Gambling News. https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/overwatch-2-to-reintroduce-loot-boxes-due-to-popular-demand/

68. Wiggin. (2025, February 11). Interactive Entertainment Update - February 2025. Wiggin.

69. Gibbs, E. (2025, February 10). League of Legends accused of offering illegal gambling in Belgium. NEXT.io. https://next.io/news/regulation/league-of-legends-accused-offering-illegal-gambling/

70. Degano, E. (2025, February 4). Quando giocare diventa un eccesso [When playing becomes an excess]. Home Zanichelli Aula di scienze. https://aulascienze.scuola.zanichelli.it/multimedia-scienze/come-te-lo-spiego-scienze/quando-giocare-diventa-un-eccesso

71. Duco. (2025, February 4). Loot boxes are under increasing global scrutiny. Duco. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7292587768881328128/

72. Davies, I. (2025, February 3). Is Free to Play, Fair to Play Regulatory Challenges For 2025, 14:35–. PocketGamer.biz YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/q6a2jlLEVbI?si=lIZFRUuY9Br2Tp-W&t=875

73. Lauwers, M. (2025, February 3). En hébergeant des jeux d'argent, Apple enfreint-il la loi belge? [By hosting gambling games, is Apple breaking Belgian law?]. L'Echo. https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/medias-divertissement/en-hebergeant-des-jeux-d-argent-apple-enfreint-il-la-loi-belge/10585749.html

74. Sayers, H. (2025, January 29). Belgium Loot-Box Ruling Could Be Bad News For Digital Platforms. VIXIO Regulatory Intelligence. https://www.vixio.com/insights/gc-belgium-loot-box-ruling-could-be-bad-news-digital-platforms

75. Nature Research Intelligence. (2025, January 26). Loot Boxes and Gambling Regulation. Nature Research Intelligence. https://www.nature.com/research-intelligence/loot-boxes-and-gambling-regulation [AI Generated]

76. Yang, K. (2025, January 24). Sonny “angels”: Blind box companies keep teenage consumers hooked with monetization and marketing tactics. El Estoque. https://elestoque.org/2025/01/24/entertainment/sonny-angels/

77. O'Reilly, M. (2025, January 22). Loot Boxes, Regulation & Compliance: Leon Xiao’s View. Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling (AFSG). https://afsg.org/2025/01/22/loot-boxes-regulation-compliance-leon-xiaos-view/

78. Miller, S. (2025, January 17). Professionals Explain The Development Differences Between Video Game Design And Online Slot Mechanics. GWW (WorldWide). https://thegww.com/professionals-explain-the-development-differences-between-video-game-design-and-online-slot-mechanics/

79. Hisham, T. (2025, January 5). [10-minute video on blind boxes]. tinz.h TikTok Channel. https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS6PM8fjg/

80. Çelik, A., & Bilgiç, K. (2025, January 4). Gamfed Turkey Digital Game Design DOT Team Captains Arda Çelik and Kevser Bilgiç present: The Rise of Lootboxes: Gambling, Gaming Industry and Legal Regulations [Gamfed Türkiye Dijital Oyun Tasarımı DOT Ekibi Kaptanları Arda Çelik ve Kevser Bilgiç sunar : Lootbox’ların Yükselişi: Kumar, Oyun Sektörü ve Yasal Düzenlemeler]. Gamfed Türkiye. https://oyunlastirma.co/makale/gamfed-turkiye-dijital-oyun-tasarimi-dot-ekibi-kaptanlari-arda-celik-ve-kevser-bilgic-sunar-lootboxlarin-yukselisi-kumar-oyun-sektoru-ve-yasal-duzenlemeler/