Are loot boxes haram?

Paid loot boxes are haram according to most scholars. You pay real money (or premium currency bought with money) for a random reward that may be worth more or less than you paid. That's the core of gambling. Free loot boxes earned through play, and fixed-price cosmetic purchases where you know exactly what you get, are fine.

Why paid loot boxes count as gambling

Gambling (maysir) means putting something of value at risk on chance, hoping to win more than you staked. A paid loot box works the same way: you pay, the game spins, and you might get a rare skin or a duplicate you didn't want. Many players keep buying to chase the rare item, exactly like a slot machine. The Prophet ﷺ also forbade transactions built on excessive uncertainty (Sahih Muslim 1513), and you can't know what you're paying for.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَـٰمُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ "O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful." Quran 5:90

Gacha, FIFA packs and other forms

Gacha games: paid "pulls" for random characters or weapons are the same as loot boxes.
FIFA/EA FC Ultimate Team packs: buying packs with real money or points is paid randomness. Packs earned through matches or objectives are fine.
Mystery cases with tradeable skins: where items can be sold for cash, it's even closer to a casino.
"Pity" systems: a guaranteed reward after many pulls doesn't remove the gambling in each pull.

Some scholars take a slightly softer view of boxes where every outcome is roughly equal in value and can't be traded, since the "win or lose" element is weak. But most advise avoiding paid randomness altogether.

What's fine

Buying a specific skin, outfit or battle pass at a fixed, visible price.
Opening loot boxes earned for free through gameplay, without paying for them or for the keys.
Games that show exactly what you get before you pay.

For the bigger picture on gaming, including prayer time and content, see Can I still play video games as a Muslim? The same principle covers other chance-based purchases. See Can I still buy lottery tickets as a Muslim?

For parents

Children are especially drawn to loot boxes, with bright animations and "rare drop" sounds designed to hook them. Turn off in-app purchases, use console and phone spending limits, and explain kindly why you skip paid boxes. Teaching them "we don't pay for surprises" early is easier than breaking a habit later. If a child has already spent money this way, focus on the lesson rather than guilt.

Key points

Paying real money for a random reward is gambling for most scholars.
Gacha pulls and paid FIFA packs fall under the same rule.
Free, earned boxes and fixed-price cosmetics are fine.
Set spending limits for kids and explain the reason gently.

Tip: If you really want a particular skin, wait for it to appear in the fixed-price store. It's usually cheaper than chasing it in boxes, and it keeps your gaming halal.

Are loot boxes haram?

Why paid loot boxes count as gambling

Gacha, FIFA packs and other forms

What's fine

For parents

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