Loot boxes in video games may face stricter rules in Norway. The proposals are under consultation, with a deadline of 12 January 2027. As of 2 November 2026, this is not an adopted new ban. You can already use parental controls to limit in-game purchases.
What has the government put out for consultation?
The government is seeking views on new rules for gambling-like mechanisms in video games. The consultation opened on 12 October 2026, following a report delivered on 1 October.
Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet, the authority supervising gambling, led the work. Medietilsynet, Norsk filminstitutt and Forbrukertilsynet also participated. The government’s announcement describes the aim of better protecting children and young people.
The proposal could bring more such mechanisms under the Gambling Act. Permission would then be required to offer and market them. The authorities could also use the Act’s enforcement measures to stop illegal offerings. The consultation sets no date for new rules to take effect.
What is a loot box?
A paid loot box is a digital package whose contents you do not know until you open it. You pay with real money, directly or through game currency you have purchased.
A card pack containing random players is one example. This differs from buying a specific item you know in advance. Not all video game purchases are loot boxes. SamfunnPrep also has a broader explanation of children’s rights and self-determination.
Three options are being considered
The report describes three possible ways to change the rules. None has been selected through the consultation. The main difference concerns how the law should treat prizes with value within a game.
| Option | What is proposed? |
|---|---|
| A separate rule for video games | A new provision covers gambling-like mechanisms in or connected to video games. The prize need not have financial value. |
| A broader definition | The requirement for a prize to have financial value is removed from the general definition of gambling. |
| A more limited change | The financial-value requirement remains, but a prize may have such value even if it cannot be sold outside the game. |
Lotteritilsynet believes option 1 or 2 should form the basis for further work. This is stated in section 1.5 of the report’s summary. The recommendation is not a decision to adopt a new law.
What can you do as a parent now?
You can review purchase settings together with your child. Medietilsynet recommends parental controls, including settings that require notification and approval for purchases.
- Look at the purchases offered by the game, even if it is free to download.
- Check how to approve or restrict purchases on the platform your child uses.
- Discuss the difference between game currency and kroner, and agree on what your child may spend.
You do not need to wait for the consultation to review these settings. SamfunnPrep’s tools for everyday life in Norway also help you learn about Norwegian services and terminology.
How can you submit your views?
Use the “Send inn høringssvar” form on the official consultation page. The deadline is 12 January 2027.
Consultation responses are public and published on regjeringen.no. Do not use your response as a private message about your child’s personal circumstances. Instead, explain the experiences or proposals you want the authorities to consider.
