Brazil Bans Loot Boxes for Minors in Video Games

In a significant move to safeguard its younger population, Brazil will prohibit the sale of loot boxes to individuals under the age of 18 in video games, starting in March. This measure stems from Lei 15.211/2025, a comprehensive law signed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, which aims to bolster online safety for children and adolescents. The new legislation underscores a global trend towards regulating contentious monetization strategies within the gaming sector.

The core of this law, as translated, is dedicated to upholding \"the best interests of children and adolescents.\" This encompasses safeguarding their privacy, ensuring their safety, promoting mental and physical well-being, facilitating access to information, and enabling meaningful engagement with digital technologies. Specifically, Chapter 7 of the law explicitly bans loot boxes in electronic games designed for or accessible by minors, aligning with age ratings. Furthermore, the law stipulates that games featuring user interaction via text, audio, or video must adhere to guidelines from a separate 2024 law, compelling companies to moderate user-generated content and transparently manage their moderation systems.

Brazil joins a growing list of nations addressing the issue of loot boxes, often likened to digitized gambling. Belgium initiated a ban in 2018, and lawmakers in the United States, political groups in the Netherlands, and Australian parliament members have similarly proposed or implemented their own restrictions. A crucial aspect of Brazil's new law is the requirement for digital service providers to implement "proportionate, auditable, and technically secure measures" for age verification, moving beyond simple self-declaration. While this marks a progressive step, similar age verification protocols in other countries have sparked debates regarding user privacy, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing protection with personal data security.

This pioneering legislation by Brazil exemplifies a proactive commitment to protecting children and adolescents in the digital age. By regulating potentially exploitative gaming practices and mandating robust age verification, the nation sets a powerful example for fostering a safer and more responsible online environment. Such initiatives are vital in guiding the evolution of digital entertainment towards models that prioritize user well-being over commercial gain, encouraging a global dialogue on ethical technological development.