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Nearly half of gamers call for restrictions on Microtransactions
- 33% of gamers purchased a microtransaction (MTX) or loot box at least once a week, with 25-34 year olds most likely to purchase (45%)
- Xbox users are slightly more likely to make in-game purchases than PlayStation owners
- Call of Duty was labelled the worst offender for MTX by almost a third (29%) of gamers
The survey, commissioned by gaming publisher, WePC, reveals how gamers are feeling since the pandemic and follows the recent investigation on loot boxes in Belgium, as more European authorities consider banning them altogether.
Microtransactions and gambling
Over a third (33%) of UK gamers purchase a microtransaction or loot box at least once a week, with nearly 1 in 10 (8%) spending over £100 on each purchase occasion. Younger gamers aged 16-24 admitted to spending £17 above the national average of £36. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of this age group also claimed their gaming expenditure in general has seen an increase during the pandemic.
Although a large majority of respondents (69%) agreed that loot boxes promote gambling to younger gamers, only 19% called for them to be banned altogether. Users felt that along with the age limit, a cap on the amount that could be spent (43%) and restrictions on the impact paid content has on core gameplay (26%) would be more effective. Call of Duty was ranked the nation’s least favourite microtransaction offender (29%), followed by FIFA (28%) and Candy Crush (26%)
But some gamers claim it depends on the game in question.
“In COD, your MTX are based around gun skins and animations, so it doesn’t directly affect your abilities to play,” says Leeds-based gamer, Josh Allen.
“FIFA, on the other hand, makes multiplayer experiences so much worse. You can play against someone who has paid to have a better team, which makes them impossible to beat, even if they’re less skilled at the game. That’s why I’ve given up playing FIFA altogether. COD, on the other hand, you can pay for aesthetic but winning is still based on skill.”
Leeds was revealed to be the capital city of microtransactions too (42%), followed closely by Brighton (41%) and London (39%).
Plymouth’s gaming community were the least likely to make in-game purchases (21%), along with Glasgow (23%) and Southampton (24%).
Post-pandemic gaming
Whilst restrictions may have started easing in the UK, reduction in social interaction has had both a financial and emotional impact on gamers.
Nearly half (47%) have admitted their gaming expenditure has increased during the pandemic, with the majority of money going to new video games (38%), online subscriptions (19%) and gaming equipment (19%).
Around 1 in 5 Xbox, Mobile, Nintendo and PC gamers say they spend most of their gaming expenditure on microtransactions.
However, it was Nintendo users that spent the most on loot boxes compared to any other console, with an average of £56 spent per purchase. PC gamers followed closely behind, spending an average of £51 per MTX.
Sophie, an avid Animal Crossing fan and regular Nintendo gamer, has doubled her gaming expenditure since restrictions first came into place last year.
“I’m playing more games so making my way through my library quicker. I’m also buying games so that I can play online with friends and fill in that social gap.”
Will Blears, Marketing Director at WePC said:
“As gamers ourselves, we understand that gaming is skill-based experience and it’s clear from the research that gamers are currently forced to buy into MTX and loot boxes to gain advantages within that experience.”
“The European laws coming into place highlight the concern that is clear, from our survey data, is echoed around the gaming community. Loot boxes could definitely be a gateway into the darker side of gambling and creators need to factor in safety to make sure gaming continues to be enjoyable for all.”
Latest News
NOVOMATIC Argentina hosted a successful event with the ‘NOVOMATIC Experience’ during SAGSE 2025

Held in a private and sophisticated setting at the Rooftop in Puerto Madero, the NOVOMATIC Experience attracted a distinguished audience of 80 industry leaders, strategic partners, and customers. Guests enjoyed privileged access to the latest innovations, live demonstrations, strategic networking, and premium entertainment.
An outstanding showcase of NOVOMATIC’s excellence
The event provided a unique platform for the exploration of NOVOMATIC’s cutting-edge portfolio, featuring state-of-the-art cabinets, Linked Progressives, and advanced casino management systems. Attendees were impressed by the seamless integration of innovation and entertainment that provided a truly immersive experience.
The premiere of GLOBE LINK Xtension Volume 2 in the elegant V.I.P. Lounge
Curve 1.43 drew lots of attention, as did the powerful ULTRA BOOST
Link on the PANTHERA
Curve 1.43. Additionally, the DIAMOND X
1.55J with NOVO LINE
GOLDEN LINK
Edition 2 and the BLACK EDITION II 3.27 with IMPERA LINK
Series 2, as well as the engaging MONEY PARTY
Edition 1, which was showcased in the versatile FUNMASTER 2.27 cabinet, further enhanced the presentation, offering a comprehensive showcase of NOVOMATIC’s gaming solutions.
Guests also enjoyed participating in an exciting live tournament, powered by NOVOMATIC’s acclaimed Casino Management System. The event provided the ideal atmosphere for building relationships, exchanging insights, and creating valuable business opportunities.
Positive feedback and regional commitment
Reflecting on the event’s success, Fabián Luis Grous, Managing Director of NOVOMATIC Argentina, expressed his satisfaction: “The NOVOMATIC Experience was an incredible success. We were delighted to welcome so many esteemed guests and present our latest innovations in such an exclusive environment. This event not only strengthened our relationships but also reaffirmed our commitment to the evolution of gaming in Latin America.”
The NOVOMATIC Experience has once again set new standards of exclusivity in the gaming industry. With overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, the event stands out as one of the highlights of SAGSE 2025 week, delivering innovation, networking, and entertainment of the highest quality.
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Accel Entertainment
Accel Entertainment Names Scott Levin as Chief Legal Officer

Accel Entertainment, Inc. announced the appointment of Scott Levin as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, effective immediately.
Levin brings more than three decades of experience as an executive and senior legal advisor for a variety of high-growth public and private companies and will support Accel’s continued expansion as not only the preferred gaming operations partner of bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and fraternal and veteran establishments across the country, but also a premier operator of brick-and-mortar retail stores and casinos. As Chief Legal Officer, Scott Levin will oversee all the Company’s legal affairs and report directly to Andy Rubenstein, Chief Executive Officer at Accel Entertainment.
“Scott brings a wealth of invaluable experience to Accel Entertainment across multiple legal disciplines, and we are excited to welcome him to our leadership team as we continue to expand into new markets and adjacent gaming verticals,” said Accel CEO Andy Rubenstein. “In the gaming industry, a strong legal function is essential for long-term growth, and Scott brings the key legal experience needed to help us further strengthen our best-in-class organization.”
Levin has held senior leadership positions with several public and private companies across various industries, including serving as CEO of FTD Companies, leading the company in pursuing strategic opportunities and developing a robust legal function, and as the first General Counsel for Morton’s Restaurant Group, a publicly held restaurant holding company, helping Morton’s expand its leading hospitality footprint internationally. Levin was most recently the Founder and Managing Director of Portco Advisors LLC, where he served as outside general counsel and executive advisor for growing companies undergoing periods of significant transformation. Prior to founding Portco Advisors, Levin also served as General Counsel for companies including Torex Retail, a provider of information technology systems for the retail, fuel and convenience stores, and pub markets in Europe, and several successful startups including Atlas Power Group, Coskata, eMac Digital, and OurHouse. Levin received his Juris Doctor with Honors from George Washington University and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College.
“I have been closely following Accel Entertainment’s sustained growth since becoming a public company, and I am thrilled to join the team at such an exciting stage of development,” said Scott Levin. “Accel’s commitment to excellence and determination to fuel growth through innovation is inspiring, and I look forward to working with the incredibly talented leadership team and everyone at the company to help advance Accel’s industry-leading position in the locals gaming sector.”
As a part of this announcement, Derek Harmer, current General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, will now serve as Accel’s first dedicated Chief Compliance Officer and will continue to report to Accel CEO Andy Rubenstein. Harmer will continue to leverage his decades of industry insights and experience to lead Accel’s national Compliance and Government Affairs functions, supporting the company in an increasingly complex regulatory and legislative environment.
“Derek has made a tremendous impact on our organization while leading the legal and compliance teams. His success in this dedicated national role will be a key driver in supporting the Company’s commitment to compliance and growth into new regulated markets,” said Accel CEO Andy Rubenstein.
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Compliance Updates
GRAI: Join the Ongoing Public Consultation

The GRAI would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations concerning licensing which will be commenced on a phased basis.
Consultation Published: Monday 7th April 2025
Submission period closes: 5pm on 5th May 2025
About us
We are the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. We were established on 5 March 2025. Our role is to regulate gambling activities in Ireland.
The law that established us, and sets out what we do, is the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
Those who wish to provide gambling activities in Ireland will need a licence from us. We can issue different types of gambling licences for in person or remote gambling activities, including the following:
1. Business to consumer gambling licences
This type of licence applies to those providing betting, gaming or lottery activities to consumers.
2. Business to business gambling licences
This type of licence applies to those selling or supplying a gambling product or gambling related service.
3. Licences for a charitable and philanthropic purpose
This type of licence applies to those who wish to provide betting, gaming, or lottery activities for charitable and philanthropic purposes.
We intend to start our licensing function in a phased way, with different licence category types opening at different times.
Our current plan is to first open for Business to Consumer betting licence applications in December 2025 (both in person and remote). This will be followed by opening for gaming licence applications (remote only) towards the end of the first quarter of 2026. However, the order and timing of commencement maybe subject to change. The license application process will take a number of months. Once an application is submitted it will be reviewed to ensure all necessary information and documentation has been submitted. We will then undertake various checks on the applicant and on the Information and documentation submitted to verify the information and to ensure it is given due consideration when making the decision to grant or refuse the license application.
What is the purpose of this consultation?
We have the power to make regulations. Regulations are laws created by Ministers or public bodies under powers given to them by Acts of the Oireachtas.
The first set of regulations we plan to make will:
a. Set the application fee for applications for betting (in person and remote) and gaming (in person and remote) licences. This is provided for in section 38 of the 2024 Act.
The second set of regulations we plan to make will:
b. Set the duration for which a gambling licence remains in force. This is provided for under section 108 of the 2024 Act.
AND
c. Set out some additional conditions which will apply to gambling licences. This is provided for under section 129 of the 2024 Act.
We would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations.
For more information including how to submit a response please visit: Live Consultation page.
The post GRAI: Join the Ongoing Public Consultation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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