Australian Government to place minimum classifications on games with gambling in 2024

A minimum classification of M for Mature will apply.

The Australian Government will place a minimum classification for games with gambling-like content in late 2024, “following unanimous agreement from the states and territories.”

“The move follows Friday’s meeting of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General, where all states and territories agreed to updated Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games 2023, and is an important step in ensuring children are protected from gambling harm,” reads a press release from The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Federal Minister for Communications.

Any title with gambling-like mechanics — including loot boxes — will receive a minimum classification of M for Mature, meaning the title is not suitable for children under 15.

“The [Australian] Government is determined to protect vulnerable Australians from gambling harms – including children who may be exposed to gambling through video games,” said the Minister for Communications.

“I thank the States and Territories for joining with us to make real changes that will protect children from gambling-like content through these changes to our classification scheme,” she continued. “Research shows that children exposed to gambling-like content may be more vulnerable to gambling harm later in life – and we are determined to intervene early to keep children safe.

“These changes represent another step in our work to modernise the National Classification Scheme so that Australians can make better informed choices about what they – and those in their care – watch, read and play.”

Back in 2021, Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie saught to introduce a bill to Parliament to ban the sale of in-game loot boxes — likening them to betting apps — to those under 18 years of age.

The changes are slated to come into place by September 2024.