EU Child Safety Rules Target Daily Login Bonuses in Games

November 1, 2026 - 12:25

The EU Kids Act is moving video games into the scope of child safety regulation, and one of its most contested provisions takes aim at daily login bonuses. The mechanic, common in free to play titles, rewards players for returning every day with in game currency, items, or other perks. Supporters of the measure argue that such systems are designed to build compulsive habits and can push minors toward excessive play or spending. The draft rules would restrict these rewards for younger users and place games under broader protections similar to those applied to social media platforms.

The games industry is pushing back, though not against the goal itself. Video Games Europe, the trade body representing major publishers, says it supports stronger protections for children. Its objection is to blanket age verification requirements, which it argues would force every player to prove their age before playing and could raise privacy concerns. The group instead wants PEGI, the pan European age rating system already used on game packaging and digital storefronts, to serve as the standard for enforcement. Under that approach, age ratings would determine which protections apply rather than mandatory identity checks for all users.

The debate highlights a wider tension in Brussels over how far child safety rules should reach into interactive entertainment. Lawmakers see daily login bonuses as a design choice that merits scrutiny, while the industry frames the issue as one of proportionality and existing tools. Negotiations are expected to continue as the act moves through the legislative process, with the treatment of age checks and reward mechanics likely to be central points of contention.