Says new research. Updated on 3 April 2021 New research has "robustly verified" a link between loot boxes and problem gambling. Researchers at the universities of Plymouth and Wolverhampton said loot boxes "are structurally and psychologically akin to gambling". It also found that large numbers of children are opening loot boxes. Eurogamer news cast: why did Nintendo kill Mario? Loot boxes are a controversial video game mechanic that encourages real-world spending on virtual goods. Loot boxes appear in a number of video games, but it is EA's FIFA series, and in particular its money-spinning Ultimate Team mode, that has become the focal point of the debate around them. EA has always denied FIFA's loot boxes are gambling.