If CCG's like Magic: The Gathering is not gambling then I cannot fathom how loot boxes are.
With loot boxes you cannot cash out. That changes the dynamic completely, in my opinion.
When one gambles you put in a small amount of money in the hopes of getting out something of greater value. If that value is perma-locked in a video game, non-transferable, non-redeemable, then I don't buy that it is gambling.
At least with MTG you would pay for a pack, maybe get a rare card worth some money and you could sell it / trade it and get monetary value for your "gamble"
With loot boxes you cannot cash out. That changes the dynamic completely, in my opinion.
When one gambles you put in a small amount of money in the hopes of getting out something of greater value. If that value is perma-locked in a video game, non-transferable, non-redeemable, then I don't buy that it is gambling.
At least with MTG you would pay for a pack, maybe get a rare card worth some money and you could sell it / trade it and get monetary value for your "gamble"