The famous bright-yellow vending machines decorated with popular cartoon characters called Lucky Boxes stand out in no less than 35 locations spread across the east coast of Australia.
They dispense neatly stacked boxes containing surprises ranging from PlayStation 5s and Xbox consoles to smaller items like movie tickets and phone chargers.
The mystery prizes are available for $20, an amount that could also bring some very lucky players much more significant prizes, including luxury vacations. However, the latter requires a hologram ticket for redemption.
Gambling Critics Want Stricter Regulations
As pointed out in a story by The Guardian, gambling reform advocates are raising concerns regarding these particular vending machines, arguing they subject young people to gambling practices.
Critics call for stricter regulations, but the legal status of Lucky Box remains unclear, with the machines currently operating in a regulatory “grey area.”
Wesley Mission has reported Lucky Box vending machines to the NSW Department of Hospitality and Racing.
General manager Jim Wackett insists they are “a gambling machine” and “should be treated as such.”
”In the current form, they should not be in places where people under the age of 18 can access them,” Wackett added.
Yet, no agency has taken responsibility for their oversight. The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority states the machines do not fall under its jurisdiction as they operate in unlicensed venues like shopping centers.
In the meantime, NSW Police determined the machines do not violate existing gambling laws.
Lucky Boxes “Surprise and Delight the World!”
Lucky Box claims its machines are for entertainment, not gambling. On its website, the company states its mission is to “surprise and delight the world!” and asserts compliance with Australian laws.
The business is registered under JB Equipment Service Pty Ltd, based in NSW.
Associated Professor Alex Russell from Central Queensland University notes that products like Lucky Box blur the line between entertainment and gambling.
“It’s a tricky one,” Russell said while describing the “question of whether it’s gambling or not” as “quite technical.”
The professor also warned about the risk of these machines potentially exposing young people to gambling-like behaviors and influencing their future habits.
A recent study by the Northern Sydney Local Health District found that some Year 10 students identified arcade games and prize machines as having “casino-style elements” marketed toward young audiences.
Though Lucky Box was not explicitly mentioned, the study highlights the lack of regulation in this area.
Wackett believes clearer legislation is needed. “One of the issues is the law needs to be pretty black and white about what’s allowed and what’s not,” he commented.
“We see lots of products developed which suit the word of the law but not the intent of the law,” he added.