Video game alert: parents warned about costly transactions after Cork child spends hundreds of euro

The incident has prompted calls for tightening of rules around in-game transactions. These so-called ‘loot boxes’ encourage players to use real money, in exchange for virtual items in games.
In May this year, the Belgian Gaming Commission deemed the games a form of gambling.

Fine Gael senator, Jerry Buttimer, has called on the Government to fast-track new legislation around gambling and gaming.
He said: “In Cork, a young boy spent a month of his mother’s wages on ‘FIFA 18’. The parent helped the child sign up to the game, using their credit card details.
“When he was playing it, a box kept coming up, asking if he wanted to buy things and he kept hitting the button and ran up a bill of hundreds of euro in no time.
"He was unaware that it was happening. It has the potential to be catastrophic in terms of running up bills and in gambling addiction."
Mr Buttimer said: “Cork has become pronounced as a city associated with gaming. Unfortunately, there are concerns regarding the potential exposure to addictive behaviour such as gambling. This is where loot boxes have crept into the gaming scene and have become a topical issue not only for gamers but for parents and governments around the world.”