Abstract. This study focuses on the effectiveness of video game age ratings to
take into account gambling. As a case example, we look at games in the Pokémon
franchise where a casino-resembling “game corner” was either completely
removed or its features were cut in order to abide by the PEGI (Pan-European
Game Information) age rating rules. We argue that the removal of the game
corner or its features is tied to an outdated idea of what gambling is, and is
focused on removing associations to traditional forms of gambling rather than
removing actual modern forms of gambling, such as loot boxes, from games. We
address the difficulty of objectively identifying game mechanics that are linked
to gambling and discuss the alternative measures game age raters can take to
detect and identify gambling in video games. Finally, we discuss the ethical
responsibility of game designers in creating gameplay for children that
encourages gambling.