Pokémon UNITE to cease operations in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2025

Source Cryptopolitan

TiMi Studio Group and The Pokémon Company have announced that Pokémon UNITE will be discontinued in Belgium and the Netherlands as of November 30, 2025.

The announcement stated that The Pokémon Company had ceased its activities in these countries for players in both regions. From October 31, 2024, players will not have the opportunity to buy Unite Club memberships or Aeos Gems, marking the end of the game’s availability.

The company gave no specific explanation for this move, but Belgium and the Netherlands have very stringent laws that ban in-game items that resemble gambling.

The use of random elements in events and cosmetic features of Pokémon UNITE would be in violation of these regulations. The game’s business model, which depends on the above elements, seems unviable under the prevailing legal environment in the two countries.

Other games in the Pokémon franchise, including Pokémon Masters EX, have also been banned in Belgium and the Netherlands for similar reasons.

Gamers grapple with limited gameplay options

The players in Belgium and the Netherlands will be allowed to spend the last of their Aeos Gems after the sales close, but they will be unable to buy more items. This greatly reduces the possibilities in the gameplay, and players can only use the free currency for the next update. There has been no official statement regarding refunds or compensation for the people who were impacted.

Belgium banned loot boxes in 2018 and companies such as Blizzard and Nintendo changed or removed games in response. In that year, Belgium’s Justice Minister, Koen Geens, labeled such games as Overwatch and FIFA 18 as “games of chance.” Furthermore, Geens sought to have their revenue model altered in order to safeguard minors. 

The Netherlands has also been vocal on the issue, with Dutch politicians demanding that loot boxes be banned. They said that this is due to the risks of addiction and financial damage to families. 

However, a study conducted by researcher Leon Y. Xiao stated that Belgium has failed in its attempts to regulate the loot boxes. Xiao stated that such rules could not be easily enforced, and, if strictly applied, they would definitely have an adverse impact on the gaming industry. According to Xiao, while analyzing the loopholes in the country’s law, the ban misled consumers, parents, and policymakers.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Bitcoin To Face ‘One Last Speed Bump’ Before Rally To $140,000 – AnalystBitcoin (BTC) is attempting to reclaim a crucial level as support, which could propel its price to its local range high.
Author  NewsBTC
5 hours ago
Bitcoin (BTC) is attempting to reclaim a crucial level as support, which could propel its price to its local range high.
placeholder
Australia hands Tesla lifeline with May sales surge, struggles persist elsewhereAustralia just gave Tesla something it hasn’t had in a while—relief. The company said on Tuesday that it sold 3,897 electric vehicles in Australia in May 2025, its best monthly performance in nearly a year, according to data reported by CNBC.
Author  Cryptopolitan
5 hours ago
Australia just gave Tesla something it hasn’t had in a while—relief. The company said on Tuesday that it sold 3,897 electric vehicles in Australia in May 2025, its best monthly performance in nearly a year, according to data reported by CNBC.
placeholder
Bank of England Governor Bailey releases more aggressive monetary policy,Will the British pound continue to rise or turn around and fall?The latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, "World Economic Outlook," shows that the UK economy has demonstrated unexpected resilience, leading to an upward revision of the GDP growth forecast for 2025 from 1.1% to 1.2%.
Author  TradingKey
5 hours ago
The latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, "World Economic Outlook," shows that the UK economy has demonstrated unexpected resilience, leading to an upward revision of the GDP growth forecast for 2025 from 1.1% to 1.2%.
placeholder
GBP/JPY Price Forecast: Seems poised to build on momentum beyond 195.00 markThe GBP/JPY cross builds on the previous day's goodish rebound from the 192.75-192.70 area, or over a one-week low, and gains positive traction for the second straight day on Wednesday.
Author  FXStreet
5 hours ago
The GBP/JPY cross builds on the previous day's goodish rebound from the 192.75-192.70 area, or over a one-week low, and gains positive traction for the second straight day on Wednesday.
placeholder
USD/CAD Price Forecast: Tests initial support near 1.3950, followed by nine-day EMAThe USD/CAD pair is retracing its recent gains registered in the previous session, trading around 1.3710 during the European hours on Wednesday. The daily chart's technical analysis suggested a persistent bearish sentiment, as the pair consolidates within the descending channel pattern.
Author  FXStreet
5 hours ago
The USD/CAD pair is retracing its recent gains registered in the previous session, trading around 1.3710 during the European hours on Wednesday. The daily chart's technical analysis suggested a persistent bearish sentiment, as the pair consolidates within the descending channel pattern.
goTop
quote