Loot boxes in games are against the local gambling laws in Belgium and publishers are having to take steps to ensure that they don’t break the laws. EA today confirmed that it’s removing FIFA loot boxes in the country as it seeks to limit any potential legal troubles from keeping them online. As such, it will no longer be selling FIFA Points in Belgium.
EA confirmed today that following discussions with the authorities in Belgium, it has decided to stop offering FIFA Points for sale in the country. These changes will be effective in its FIFA console and PC games by January 31st, 2019.
Players in Belgium will no longer be able to purchase points to obtain FIFA Ultimate Team packs. However, they will be able to access Ultimate Team and play with their existing players. All of the content in the game can only be earned through gameplay, which was always the case, but no longer through FIFA Points.
They will be able to use coins and the in-game transfer market as before. Any players in Belgium that have existing FIFA Points in their accounts will also be able to use them but they will not be able to buy more.
EA does mention in its release that “While we are taking this action, we do not agree with Belgian authorities’ interpretation of the law, and we will continue to seek more clarity on the matter as we go forward.”