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Leon Y. Xiao on Muck Rack

Leon Y. Xiao

Copenhagen, London, Manchester
As seen in: Nature, The Conversation, Phys.org, GamesIndustry.biz
Covers:  Video games; Loot boxes; Law and regulation; Consumer protection; Gambling
Assistant Professor @CityUHongKong | Loot Boxes; Video Game Law 🎮🎰 | Empirical Legal & Policy Research | Pro Screenshotter 📱📸 | @ForbesUnder30

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Leon Y. Xiao’s Biography

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Hi, I’m Leon, a PhD Fellow at the IT University of Copenhagen, currently visiting The Manchester Metropolitan University.

I research video game law, particularly the regulation of loot boxes, a quasi-gambling monetisation mechanic in video games. I use empirical legal research methods and am passionate about open science. I also dabble in some research on gameplay time and the intersections between cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and gambling.

I have testified before an Australian House Committee. My r…

Leon Y. Xiao’s Journalist Portfolio

Loot Box State of Play 2024: Another trip around the world of regulation

Loot Box State of Play 2024: Another trip around the world of regulation

We are back for another look at how different countries are regulating loot boxes. There is certainly less pr…

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How should the UK video game industry self-regulate loot boxes?

How should the UK video game industry self-regulate loot boxes?

Loot box researcher Leon Y. Xiao examines what has worked - and what hasn't - with previous loot box regulati…

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Loot box State of Play 2023: A global update on regulation

Loot box State of Play 2023: A global update on regulation

Researcher Leon Y. Xiao recaps legislative developments on loot box monetization methods around the world

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Beneath the label: unsatisfactory compliance with loot box presence warning industry self-regulation

Beneath the label: unsatisfactory compliance with loot box presence warning industry self-regulation

Loot boxes in video games are a form of in-game transactions with randomized elements. Concerns have been rai…

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Breaking Ban: Belgium's Ineffective Gambling Law Regulation of Video Game Loot Boxes

Breaking Ban: Belgium's Ineffective Gambling Law Regulation of Video Game Loot Boxes

Loot boxes in video games are gambling-like mechanics that players buy to obtain randomised rewards of varyin…

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Loot box State of Play 2022: Regulatory and policy research developments

Loot box State of Play 2022: Regulatory and policy research developments

Researcher Leon Y. Xiao offers a worldwide recap for a busy year of legal action around loot boxes in games

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Articles

Research finds under-24s illegally targeted by Dutch gambling ads

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By Leon Y. Xiao, Lisa Lock, Robert Egan Verified
| Phys.org Verified
Screenshots of relevant moments during Meta advert ID# 604371235647553 for Winnitt targeting young women showing the use of 'Get Ready with Me' (GRWM) make-up video aesthetics and language. Credit: 2025 Winnitt The Netherlands prohibits gambling advertising from targeting young people under age 24.
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Loot boxes are still rife in kids’ mobile games, despite ban on ‘gambling-like’ features

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By Taylor Hardwick, Ben Egliston, Leon Y. Xiao, Marcus Alfred Carter, Tianyi Zhangshao
| The Conversation Verified
In September 2024, Australia introduced a new classification approach for games with gambling-like content. Under this scheme, videogames containing in-game purchases linked to chance-based features such as “loot boxes” or “gacha” must have a minimum classification of M (not recommended for children under 15 years of age). Additionally, videogames which contain simulated gambling, such as social casino games, must be classified R18+ (legally restricted to adults aged 18 or older).
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Mainland China's 2021 restrictions on under-18s' video game time were imposed when older 2019 restrictions already applied: Omitting the historical regulatory context is misleading : Commentary on: Compliance and alternative behaviors of heavy g

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By Leon Y. Xiao, Mark Griffiths
| scienceopen.com
Record: found Abstract: found Article: found Is Open Access Author(s): , Publication date (Electronic): Keywords: , , , , , , There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience. Investigating the impacts of addiction policymaking following implementation is important. Effective policies should be considered for emulation elsewhere, whilst ineffective policies should be repealed.
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Have you ever used a typewriter?

For a photo, yes.

What tools and software do you use to do your job?

Zotero

What's your favorite drink?

Strawberry juice