Loot boxes and casino bonuses: similarities and differences

Lootbox has been a term familiar to video game fans for years. However, many of us are still unclear as to what it actually means. Is it something akin to online casino gambling or merely an attractive addition to standard console or PC gameplay? In our guide, we will try to outline the main differences between 'loot boxes' and online casino bonuses.

What are loot boxes in games and can they be found in gambling portals?

Loot boxes are special packages of useful items and features that can be found in many video games. They are rarely available on online casino sites. They can usually be purchased with virtual tokens or with real money (similar to activating bonuses on an online casino site). The more expensive the box, the greater the chances of acquiring useful and rare items, giving players a certain advantage in the game. Before they were withdrawn from the game, a single Fortnite loot box could reach a price of more than $100.

Many players think they should get more for that kind of money than they would be able to buy by simply completing the entire collection. And that's the point: the player has no idea what they're going to get until they open the purchased box.

The best casinos in Poland have a variety of bonus offers. Although some operators offer loot boxes where you will hit free spins or a no deposit bonus, these are usually part of a wider bonus offer. Online casinos also do not have tools and items that players can use to build characters or progress in the game.

Size matters

In lootboxes, players can get either really valuable items or an attractive bonus. There are therefore several differences between one form of surprise and the other.

• Gift boxes at online casinos (e.g. Lemon Casino) offer small but useful bonuses, such as free spins or game tokens. These can be used in any online casino game. Unfortunately, the fun of using them ends quickly: after you have played 15 spins or a token worth PLN 10, you return to standard gameplay.
• In video games, the value of an item depends on what we have in our arsenal, as not all cards or items appear equally often. At the same time, we can use the received item for longer and at our own discretion. Unlike online casinos, game producers rarely set time limits on how and when a prize should be used.

Guess what's inside

With this in mind, many players wonder if it is possible to predict what will be inside a prize box before they pay for it. Similar to online slot machines, game loot boxes operate using a random number generator. This is a complex algorithm that produces random results when a player performs a certain action, such as purchasing a prize box or placing a bet in casino games. It is extremely complex and - unfortunately - impossible to predict.

This leads to the fact that the main risk faced by online casino players or those who enjoy video games at home is financial. After all, when it comes to loot boxes, it is easy to fall into a spiral of uncontrolled spending - after all, each successive unopened box could conceal potentially better content than the previous one. This is particularly noticeable among gamers whose free time revolves mainly around games. They treat prize crates like a treat that is bought to indulge themselves. The dopamine boost is short-lived, however, and after a while we feel the thrill of opening a new loot box again.

Such players are often referred to as "whales". The nickname has its roots in Japanese gacha games and refers to people who don't necessarily have a high income, but still spend a lot of money. For such people, loot boxes are an end in themselves rather than an adjunct to the main game.

Another risk group is teenagers. Nowadays, they are more knowledgeable about the online world than their parents, which makes it much more difficult to control their behaviour. Of course, minors are not allowed to play in an online casino. However, they know how to handle online payments in order to buy as many loot boxes as possible. Even if they use virtual money in games, they often show signs of risky and addictive behaviour. not surprisingly, loot boxes have been outlawed in many countries and various restrictions have been imposed on video game manufacturers.

Are loot boxes a form of online casino gambling?

Fundamentally no, loot boxes are not a form of gambling, but in several aspects they resemble it. Both online casino gambling and the use of loot boxes contain an element of surprise and reward. In terms of the emotions they evoke in the player, they are quite similar. However, by picking up a bonus box at an online casino, players receive a one-off offer. Once it is used, the bonus expires. In addition, depending on the online casino, it is possible to receive an empty loot box. On the other hand, when buying a loot box in a video game, the player never walks away empty-handed.