Brazilian Court Orders Riot Games to Pay $2.8M Over Loot Boxes

A Brazilian court has ordered Riot Games to pay R$15 million ($2.8 million USD) in collective moral damages due to the implementation of loot box mechanics in League of Legends. The ruling, issued on June 9, 2026, by the 1st Court for Children and Youth of Brazil’s Federal District, concludes that these randomized reward systems violate national child-protection and consumer-protection regulations. While the National Association of Centers for the Defense of Children and Adolescents (ANCED) initially sought R$1.5 billion in damages, the court deemed that figure disproportionate and rejected requests for individual user compensation.

The judgment mandates that Riot Games implement specific operational safeguards once the decision becomes final. These requirements include the disclosure of item probabilities, the integration of age-verification systems, the provision of clear warnings regarding randomized purchases, and the establishment of a refund mechanism for minors. Failure to comply with these directives may result in a daily fine of R$100,000 ($19,450). Although the ruling is subject to appeal, it reflects a broader, ongoing legal campaign in Brazil targeting major gaming publishers, with reports indicating that companies such as Valve, Sony, Microsoft, and Electronic Arts have faced similar litigation, totaling approximately $56 million in combined penalties.

This legal action occurs within a shifting regulatory landscape in Brazil, highlighted by the introduction of Law No. 15,211/2025, which restricts loot boxes in products accessible to minors. The case underscores the increasing pressure on global esports publishers to reconcile monetization strategies with regional compliance requirements. As jurisdictions worldwide continue to evaluate whether randomized cosmetic rewards constitute gambling, publishers face a fragmented environment that necessitates localized adjustments to age ratings, access, and in-game purchase transparency.