EA Sports FC and Fantasy Sports Face Growing Scrutiny Over Gambling Elements

EA Sports FC, the successor to the FIFA video game franchise, has come under criticism for its Ultimate Team mode, which uses loot‑box‑style purchases that resemble gambling. Experts note that the system targets young players, exploits dopamine‑driven reward pathways, and operates through virtual wallets that detach spending from real money. Argentina currently lacks specific legislation to regulate such in‑game monetisation, leaving minors vulnerable to impulsive spending and related behavioral issues.

At the same time, fantasy sports platforms are expanding rapidly worldwide, drawing millions of participants who assemble virtual teams based on real athletes’ performance. The industry faces an ongoing legal debate over whether success hinges on skill or chance, a distinction that determines how the activities are regulated. The growing popularity of these games highlights a broader trend of blurred lines between traditional sports entertainment and gambling‑like mechanisms.