Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Video Games Europe
The existing EU consumer-protection framework is sufficient for ensuring digital fairness in the video-game sector, and no new legislation should be introduced until current powers are fully utilized.
The industry’s self-regulatory PEGI system is a core component of the current framework, currently maintaining approximately 75% consumer awareness regarding age-appropriate ratings.
Existing EU regulations already effectively prohibit manipulative commercial practices such as bait-and-switch tactics and false testimonials within the gaming market.
Historical enforcement actions, including the 2013-14 coordinated efforts on in-app purchases and the 2020 Italian competition authority ruling on loot-box transparency, demonstrate that current mechanisms are capable of curbing unfair practices.
In-game currencies should remain exempt from monetary equivalence regulations, provided that developers display real-currency pricing at the point of purchase and clearly disclose transaction details.
The European Commission should prioritize the publication of clear, ex-ante guidelines on fair commercial practices rather than creating new rules that risk duplicating or undermining established consumer-protection instruments.
The existing EU consumer-protection framework is sufficient for ensuring digital fairness in the video-game sector, and no new legislation should be introduced until current powers are fully utilized.
The industry’s self-regulatory PEGI system is a core component of the current framework, currently maintaining approximately 75% consumer awareness regarding age-appropriate ratings.
Existing EU regulations already effectively prohibit manipulative commercial practices such as bait-and-switch tactics and false testimonials within the gaming market.
Historical enforcement actions, including the 2013-14 coordinated efforts on in-app purchases and the 2020 Italian competition authority ruling on loot-box transparency, demonstrate that current mechanisms are capable of curbing unfair practices.
In-game currencies should remain exempt from monetary equivalence regulations, provided that developers display real-currency pricing at the point of purchase and clearly disclose transaction details.
The European Commission should prioritize the publication of clear, ex-ante guidelines on fair commercial practices rather than creating new rules that risk duplicating or undermining established consumer-protection instruments.