New minimum age classifications for gambling, loot box content in Australia

Monday, September 25, 2023 5:28 PM
Photo:  Rob Wilson/Shutterstock
  • Luke Reilly, IGN

Changes to the minimum age classifications applied to games featuring gambling-like content have been greenlit in Australia.

From September 2024, any games featuring simulated gambling (such as social casino games) will be rated R18+. R18+ is a legally restricted category in Australia, and games rated R18+ cannot be sold to people under 18.

Additionally, the minimum rating for “games containing in-game purchases linked to elements of chance, including paid loot boxes” will be M. Games rated M in Australia are recommended for people over 15, but this is advisory only; M is not a legally restricted category.

The changes will only apply to games that are released from September next year, and will not apply retrospectively.