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. The changes to Australia’s classification guidelines were agreed upon during the most recent Standing Council of Attorneys-General meeting, which includes the Attorneys-General from the Australian Government plus all states and territories. In Australia, any changes to the National Classification Code and the classification guidelines must be unanimously agreed upon by all jurisdictions.
From September 2024, any games featuring simulated gambling (such as social casino games) will be rated R18+. Australia’s incoming classification changes are the latest chapter in a long-running saga when it comes to gambling and loot box content in games.
Another jurisdiction:
- Last year the UK government confirmed it would not introduce loot box laws following a two-year enquiry into their potential problems, and instead requested that the industry self-regulated.
- In 2021, several US senators also took a stance against lootboxes, contacting a dozen games publishers imploring them better protect young people from predatory game design.
