Are Gacha games legal in Belgium?
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22 Jul 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes Since April 2018 the GC has officially classified Loot boxes and Gacha as games of chance, bringing them within the strict scope of gambling legislation. However, some Gacha games are still available in Belgium.
In Belgium, as of April 2018, the Gaming Commission (GC) has officially classified all random mechanics subject to payment in exchange for random content in video games as games of chance. This includes loot boxes, but also a large number of games known as ‘gacha games’.
Gacha & loot boxes: same battle?
The gacha system is very popular in mobile RPGs (Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, AFK Arena, Raid: Shadow Legend, etc.). The way gacha works is very similar to that of loot boxes. You buy a chance to obtain a rare character. According to researchers, these systems exploit the same brain stimuli as traditional games of chance.
In Belgium, the criteria used to differentiate games of chance from other games are :
- The 100% random nature of a win
- No guarantee of a win
- The use of real money
Some games offering Gacha play on this classification to continue offering their games in Belgium.
Gacha in Belgium: the case of Genshin Impact et al
Some gacha games have managed to remain available by adapting to the legislation. Instead of offering random content with no guarantee of victory, they have introduced a “pity” system. The player is guaranteed to receive the coveted item or character after a certain number of attempts.
This is the case in games such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero from studio miHoYo. When you make wishes to obtain a character, you have a 50% chance of getting it after 90 wishes and 100% after a maximum of 180 wishes. This pity counter is kept between draws, and resets when you receive the main character featured on the wish banner.
A subtle bypass that ensures their legal presence in Belgium.
A theoretical ban… but rarely enforced
Despite a very clear law on gachas, the reality is much more blurred and contrasted. Research carried out in 2022 on the 100 most profitable iPhone games in Belgium showed that 82% still contained loot boxes and paid gachas. The GC lacks the means to enforce its decisions.
While the major titles have been withdrawn from the Belgian market, many games persist, taking advantage of the difficulty of imposing a firm ban on digital games.
Illegal advertising and promotion: the Meta case
A recent survey (March 2025) by beClaws revealed that 172 mobile game studios paid Meta to run ads for loot boxes and gachas in Belgium, with 4.5 million views, including 1.26 million by under-21s. This advertising is also prohibited and constitutes an offence distinct from simple distribution.
What is a gacha?
“Gacha” refers to a video game system, often found in mobile games, where players obtain random virtual objects or characters in exchange for in-game currency. This system is inspired by Japanese vending machines, known as “gachapon”, which contain random toys in capsules.
What does the word Gacha mean?
The word Gacha originates from the Japanese word gachapon, a type of Japanese machine that dispenses collections of toys or figurines. Similar to the candy machines and small toys that we find in Europe.
What’s the most popular Gacha?
At the moment, the most popular Gacha available in Belgium is probably Genshin Impact.
What are the best Gacha games authorised in Belgium?
Among the best Gacha games authorised in Belgium are Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, 2 Gacha games created by miHoYo. Other Gacha games are also very popular in Belgium: AFK Arena, Raid: Show Legend Summoners War: Chronicles, Goddess of Victory: Nikke, and Arknights.
Why is gacha banned?
The gacha industry has been accused of exploiting addictive behaviour, with a significant percentage of players being students who spend considerable sums on these games despite the lack of a steady income.