Apple has announced changes to its App Store age ratings in Australia and France. The changes are in line with local guidelines and are designed to improve user safety, especially for children.
The new regional age ratings will appear alongside Apple’s regular global age ratings and will not require any additional action from developers.
The current App Store age ratings state that an app that contains “Infrequent or moderate simulated gambling” is rated 12+, while an app that contains gambling or “Frequent or intense simulated gambling” is rated 17+.
In Australia, the new rules will mean that apps that feature any form of simulated gambling will receive a regional R18+ age rating in addition to their Apple global age rating.
In France, apps with Apple’s global age rating of 17+ will also display a regional age rating of 18+ on the App Store.
The change follows new Australian rules on the classification of video games that contain gambling-like content, a change that came into effect on September 22, 2024.
The Australian government’s new rules are a response to concerns about the potential link between game mechanics in video games and problematic gaming addiction, particularly among younger users.
Games that offer paid loot boxes or in-game purchases based on chance will now receive a minimum classification of M (Mature), not recommended for players under 15. Games that feature simulated gambling will be classified as R 18+, and purchases will only be allowed for adults.
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