Title: Ars Technica: Game companies need to cut the crap—loot boxes are obviously gambling
Reason: User Warned: Downplaying gambling addiction despite being provided with multiple facts
Gambling is regulated because it pays out real money and things worth real money. People get addicted to many things that don't have monetary value. Excercise. Eating. Porn. Playing video games. Addiction does not mean that there's a problem with the thing that they're addicted to and that it should be regulated. The gift card does because it is what's being traded. Also you sell food if you want. You cannot sell loot box contents (apart from the couple of PC games, which I have already said should be regulated). It's not circular reasoning. The act of gambling by placing bets on horses, playing the lottery, playing slot machines, etc would not exist if they didn't pay out real money. The only reason they exist is to take and pay out money. Those people generally have far bigger problems, and the gambling is a sign of that. If gambling wasn't there they would be off blowing their money somewhere else. Your last sentence is bullshit. Do not tell me that I should stop having a discussion just because you disagree. So your real beef is with addiction, not gambling per se. Regulating everything that someone can become addicted to is not an option, and should never even be considered. Should porn consumption be regulated? Sex? Food? Buying shoes? Eating chalk? Collecting stamps?
Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/8459130/
Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/YE9M3