FIFA 22: Landmark Dutch case rules on whether Ultimate Team packs are gambling

EA Sports’ FIFA series has consistently had to battle with the potential of the game’s Ultimate Team packs being regulated by the government.

There have consistently been calls for the packs to be regulated, because players can buy them with real money, and they do not know which players will appear from the pack selected.

There has been a court case in the Netherlands, assessing whether or not FIFA’s packs constitute gambling.

Per GamesIndustry.biz, the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Dutch State Council made a ruling last month, confirming that FIFA’s packs do not qualify as a game of chance.

This is because the packs are an “inseparable part” of Ultimate Team. The court is highest administrative court in the country, so an appeal is not an option.

In the Netherlands, it is not legal to offer someone a game of chance on Dutch territory unless the company offering the game has a permit from the Dutch Gambling Authority.

Per the report, a game of chance is considered such if the following two criteria can be met: A participant should have an opportunity to win prizes and the winner of the game is determined by chance.

As a result, a game cannot be considered chance if the participant can influence the outcome of the game by their own actions.

In terms of the FIFA ruling, the decision takes up nine pages. The judge began with the consideration of whether the loot boxes – packs, in this case – can be considered a standalone game. If it is considered that the loot boxes are a standalone game, they can then be assessed as a potential game of chance.

In terms of Ultimate Team, the judge has ruled that it is a game of skill, although a mixed one, because the games played within the mode are won by the best player.