Gacha games will now receive PEGI 16 ratings, and honestly it was coming

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Story Highlights

  • PEGI will rate games with gacha or loot box systems at PEGI 16 starting June 2026.
  • Battle passes and limited-time purchases will receive a minimum PEGI 12 rating.
  • Daily quests and login streak mechanics will result in at least a PEGI 7 rating.

If you’ve been hearing discussions about loot boxes and gacha mechanics in games, this update likely won’t be shocking. The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) rating system is changing its rules, and these changes will impact how many games are rated.

The update focuses on “online interactive risks” like randomized rewards and monetization systems

Beginning in June 2026, any new game featuring paid random items – like those found in gacha games, card packs, or loot boxes – will automatically be rated PEGI 16 or higher. Given how widespread these types of systems are in mobile and online games, this change could impact many upcoming releases.

Games that include random rewards like gacha pulls, loot boxes, or trading card packs will now receive a PEGI 16 rating. If a game features systems that strongly resemble gambling, such as those found in online casinos, it will be rated PEGI 18.

PEGI is now considering features common in many online games. Games with limited-time items or paid battle passes will generally receive a PEGI 12 rating, particularly if those rewards aren’t available after a certain period. Features that encourage daily play, such as daily quests, login bonuses, or scheduled events, will typically be rated PEGI 7.

The rating system is expanding its focus beyond typical concerns like violence and strong language to include risks related to how players interact online. Importantly, games already rated won’t be affected. These updated guidelines will only be used for new games submitted for rating starting in June.

Labelling gacha under a certain category was a debate for a long time

I recently wrote about a lawsuit brought by New York’s Attorney General against Valve, alleging that Steam’s loot boxes encouraged illegal gambling. That case is still in progress, but it’s renewed the debate about whether these kinds of random-purchase systems are fair.

Honestly, the whole loot box and gacha thing has been a huge discussion in the gaming world for a while now. A lot of people – governments, watchdogs, and even groups looking out for players – keep asking if they’re basically just gambling, and it’s especially worrying when kids are involved. It’s a debate that just won’t die down, and for good reason.

It’s easy to understand why people compare gacha games to gambling. Players often spend money for a chance to win a rare character or item, and the odds are usually quite low. That feeling of getting something valuable is what keeps players engaged and coming back for more.

Okay, so a lot of people are worried, but PEGI isn’t actually getting rid of gacha mechanics or loot boxes completely. Developers can still include them in their games if they choose. Honestly, I doubt this will stop younger players from finding ways to play them, though. It’s probably not going to make a huge difference in practice.

While ratings won’t completely prevent young players from playing certain games, they do make a difference for parents, online store filters, and advertising. This signals that the gaming industry recognizes that how a game tries to get money from players is just as important as the game’s actual content.

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2026-03-13 23:41