Music & Games
Regulatory grey area surrounds Lucky Box vending machines amid gambling concerns
March 31, 2025
"Lucky Box" vending machines, which dispense mystery prizes in exchange for a $20 fee, are generating controversy in Australia due to concerns that they may be exposing children and teenagers to gambling-like activities, according to a report by The Guardian. The bright yellow machines, located in shopping centers across the country's east coast, offer prizes ranging from small items to high-value electronics like gaming consoles and electronics. The machines' operators promote the possibility of winning these high-value items, with social media posts showcasing winners. However, the machines also dispense lower-value items, creating an element of chance.
Jim Wackett, general manager of Wesley Mission, told the news outlet that these machines "are a gambling machine" and "should be treated as such," calling for stricter regulations and restrictions on access for minors. However, a regulatory "grey area" has emerged, with authorities at an impasse over which agency is responsible for overseeing the machines. Agencies such as the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority and Fair Trading NSW have declined to claim jurisdiction, and the NSW Police have deemed it outside their purview. This regulatory ambiguity has fueled concerns about the potential for these machines to normalize gambling behavior among young people, especially given their placement in public spaces frequented by children.
