http://www.pcgamer.com/belgium-says-loot-boxes-are-gambling-wants-them-banned-in...

They are and they are not.

They are because you are paying to get something that only drops out of a box which you may or may not get.  They aren't because, as far as I know, they all give something regardless but it probably isn't going to be what you really want and continue to plug in money to get that item which is a random chance.

I don't see this as addiction like gambling can be and you don't get taxed on what you gain from the box but some countries probably don't like some things. Canada for example, from what I understand, games have to have some kind of skill base, not a random chance so loot boxes probably are in a very grey area there(not really sure) but are still able to be sold(again not really sure.)  It shouldn't be too hard to turn off such items depending upon the country you are originating but there are also VPNs to get people around that problem so whatever Belgium wants to do, their country, but they may not be able to actually enforce such things if people wish to get what they want.

Loot boxes just suck and I don't buy any in any game that they are in.  I'd rather just pay for the item I want instead of having to rely on this chance, yea that item could be really cheap if you get lucky early but that isn't the norm.  Items suck more when they are bound and you can't sell them.  I just wish these things went away.  Companies get addicted to them, players keep purchasing them so I don't see them going away.