World

House Of Lord Warns: Loot Boxes Is Gambling

Published

5 years ago

July 9, 2020

It is official now: loot boxes are considered as a form of gambling. Following a period of concern and extensive discussion by various groups, The House Of Lords Gambling Committee from the United Kingdom officially declared loot boxes in videos games as a form of gambling, and they have issued stern warnings about the continuing implementation of it in games.

Loot boxes, despite not being a casino game, can be related to it. In a betting perspective, loot boxes can be related to gambling in the way that it gives the player or buyer the chance to win an item but without any guarantee. That is how most casino games work, after all.

“It’s gambling”

In a report that was recently released, BBC reported that the House of Lords have declared loot boxes as a form of gambling, as it meets all the factors that are present in all gambling games. To learn more you can read more online casino reviews to get the better idea about the best bookmaker.

“If a product looks like gambling and feels like gambling, it should be regulated as gambling,” the report said. “There is academic research which proves that there is a connection, though not necessarily a causal link, between loot box spending and problem gambling.”

In line with that, the house of Lords is also now seeking to have loot boxes in videos games be regulated in the same way that gambling is being regulated. Otherwise, the game developers and owners will be forced to remove loot boxes from their games–or risk getting in trouble with the law.

What are the requirements for gambling?

To better understand how the House of Lords arrived at their decision of declaring loot boxes as a form of gambling, it is a good idea to better understand what makes an activity a form of gambling first.

By definition, an activity can be considered a form of gambling or betting when it meets three requirements: there is a consideration, there is a risk, and there is a prize.

Consideration refers to any amount wagered by the playing party. Most of the times, it comes in the form of monetary currency. However, wagering is not limited to money itself. It could be other forms of resources such as property, gold, or any other things that can be wagered in a game, as long as the betting party allows it. In loot boxes, players often purchase the loot box with real money in order to get the in-game item.

Risk, on the other hand, refers to the chance involved after placing your bet or wagering your resources. In gambling, there is no assurance that your bet would win. You have the chance to win it, or you could also blow it and lose. In the same way, there is never a guarantee that a player will get any promised major price for a single draw.

Finally, the prize. In gambling, the prize could be a fixed amount you can get if you win such jackpots from a slot machine. The prize could also be the resources of the opposing player which will be awarded to you should you win.

Loot boxes are not gambling–in 2017

In a 2017 report, the UK Gambling Commission declared that loot boxes in video games can’t be considered a form of gambling, through its elements are similar to gambling. According to the regulating body, there is a fine line that separate gambling from something that is not gambling.

One of the reasons why they made the declaration back then was that according to them they found loot boxes to be purely an in-game risk purchase, and items won from it cannot be brought with or traded with real-world money.

World

More Named Storms — Is Your Luxury Pergola Ready?

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

Jenny Jackson

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 60% chance that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season would be above normal. The administration said to watch for between 13 and 19 total named storms — those with winds of 39 mph or higher.

For homeowners in hurricane-prone regions, this raises an urgent question: are your outdoor spaces ready to weather the storm?

PERGOLUX, a leader in durable outdoor structures, designs powder-coated aluminum pergolas with adjustable louvers to withstand the harshest environments.

“Today’s outdoor living spaces face the wrath of nature’s extremes,” says Tim Heneveld, Country Director of PERGOLUX North America. “Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flash floods bring powerful winds exceeding 100 mph. Their relentless rain and rising floodwaters can quickly devastate unprepared structures. If you want to protect your investments, resilient design is essential.”

Is your aluminum pergola and louvered roof ready to take on intense storms?

The open-air elegance of patio pergolas with slat roofs is perfect for a gentle breeze, but can make them vulnerable to the violent forces of hurricane winds. These storm winds pack powerful uplift and lateral forces.

Wind uplift occurs when gusts of wind flow beneath the roof, generating upward pressure that can lift the entire structure off its base. Lateral forces push a pergola horizontally, causing it to lean or even collapse.

The key defense against these powerful forces? A reinforced frame.

“Strong, well-engineered frames act as the backbone of your pergola,” notes Heneveld. “Aluminum is the ideal material for a pergola’s frame. It combines the strength needed to resist bending or breaking with a lighter weight that reduces strain on the foundation.”

PERGOLUX’s pergolas feature reinforced frames engineered to withstand intense storms with confidence. In fact, their latest model, the Skydance Series 3 Pergola, is specially crafted to endure winds up to 165 mph, which means that even when fierce hurricanes like Milton sweep through, these pergolas remain intact.

Reinforced aluminum frames designed with thickened beams and precision connections stand up to wind uplift and lateral pressure. Hurricane-rated bolts, brackets, and screws hold everything tightly together to prevent ‌weak points that storms so often exploit. When each joint is reinforced and well-anchored, your pergola can remain a steadfast retreat despite the wildest weather. Thicker beams and columns combined with robust engineering techniques give these pergolas superior strength. Extra support brackets, hidden fasteners, and precise assembly methods ensure the frame endures.

Elevated bases can protect your luxury pergola from floods

Along with high winds, storms bring torrential rain. Rising water can undermine structural footings and rot wooden materials, which can destabilize the entire installation.

An elevated base is a strategic line of defense. “By constructing your pergola on raised concrete footings or piers, you create a gap between the ground and the structure,” notes Heneveld. “During a flood, it keeps the water at bay. The elevation also prevents erosion caused by pooling rainwater.”

The best-quality outdoor pergolas offer high-grade materials and cutting-edge engineering

The key element of any storm-ready outdoor structure is its materials. PERGOLUX chooses 6063-T5 aluminum, a marine-grade alloy renowned for its incredible strength and exceptional resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to salty sea air and humid conditions.

“A wooden or vinyl pergola may look great at first,” says Heneveld, “but they often require costly upkeep or replacement after just a few seasons of storm damage. Our reinforced aluminum pergolas will give you years of worry-free durability. It will remain strong and look fantastic, no matter the weather.”

PERGOLUX’s advanced engineering solutions also protect what is inside the structure. Their patented RainLUX™ integrated gutter system channels rainwater away, preventing leaks that can damage furniture and floors.

“We offer a 10-year warranty to back up all of our claims,” Heneveld says. “It’s our commitment that these structures will protect your home’s exterior environment for years to come. We want you to focus on enjoying the moments that matter in your pergola, not on the coming storms.”

Practical outdoor living tips to prepare your louvered pergola kit before storm season

Even the strongest pergola will fare better when prepped for a coming storm. “Make sure to secure your loose items,” Heneveld warns. “Before a storm, remove furniture, planters, and décor. All of these can become hazardous projectiles.”

When homeowners hear that a storm is on the way, they will want to fully secure any screens or panels. Removing detachable panels before severe weather will help protect the pergola by reducing wind resistance.

Homeowners will want to take the time to routinely inspect and maintain their pergolas. A quick check for loose fasteners or other small signs of wear goes a long way in preserving the pergola’s strength.

“Combine simple preparation with a reinforced, elevated, and expertly engineered structure, and you’ll have an outdoor space built to last,” Heneveld concludes. “Investing in a storm-ready pergola is about so much more than just avoiding damage. You’re preserving a lifestyle. A long-lasting pergola will bring you years of shaded summer barbecues and fresh-air morning coffees.”