The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) released the '2025 Global Game Policy and Legal Research Report' on December 17, providing an in-depth analysis of the regulatory environment in the US gaming industry.

This report aims to help domestic game companies mitigate risks and strengthen policy responses when entering the US market, which is a key export destination. The project has been conducted annually since 2022, and to date, it has analyzed game policies and systems in 23 countries.

This year, the report focuses exclusively on the US, conducting an in-depth investigation into federal laws and major state laws, including those in California, Washington, and New York. The US lacks a federal ministry dedicated to the gaming industry, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) performing some oversight functions from a consumer protection perspective. Since a significant portion of regulations is handled at the state level, domestic companies must verify legal standards that vary by state.

For instance, Washington state interprets gambling concepts strictly, leading some game companies to restrict services via geoblocking. While age rating is not a legal obligation, certifications from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) act as de facto essential standards for major distribution channels.

Although there is no explicit federal law regarding loot boxes, the FTC can impose sanctions if they are deemed deceptive practices. In January of this year, there was a case where a fine of approximately $20 million was imposed for reasons including insufficient protection measures for minors.

Furthermore, Apple and Google require upfront probability disclosures for games containing loot boxes, necessitating self-regulation that aligns with international standards. Regarding Play-to-Earn (P2E) games, while they are not entirely banned, features that allow conversion to real currency (real-money conversion mechanics) may be considered securities or gambling, requiring caution from companies.

While there are no direct legal regulations yet for AI-generated content, legislative discussions regarding the use of such outputs are active, particularly in California. As the possibility of self-regulation transitioning into legislation increases, relevant companies need to continuously monitor these changes.

Under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), parental consent is mandatory to collect personal information from children under 13. New York's 'SAFE for Kids Act' is also strengthening protective measures, such as banning the delivery of addictive feed notifications during late-night hours (midnight to 6 AM).

In California, following the AB2426 law that took effect in January, any digital asset marketed with the terms 'BUY' or 'PURCHASE' must explicitly state: 'This product provides a limited license for use, not ownership.' Failure to provide this notice may be considered illegal.

The 2025 Global Game Policy and Legal Research Report can be found on the official KOCCA website (www.kocca.kr).