Konami stops PES 2019 in-game currency sales in Belgium

Konami has announced that it's halting the sale of Pro Evolution Soccer 2019's in-game currency in Belgium.

The sale of myClub Coins will cease across all platforms once the 'necessary preparations are made.' Any previously purchased myClub Coins can be used as normal and the currency will continue to be rewarded for playing the game but players will no longer be able to purchase them with real money.

"We fully respect the BGC's interpretation of relevant laws and made the decision to implement local changes to "PES 2019" in Belgium," said Konami in its statement.

Konami is the latest publisher to take action following the Belgian Gaming Commission's report referring to Loot Boxes in games as a form of gambling. CS:GO disabled loot boxes last summer and Blizzard pulled paid loot boxes from Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm shortly after. More recently, EA withdrew FIFA Points sales in Belgium at the end of last month.

It doesn't appear that any direct action was taken by the BGC against Konami at this point. However, last year's investigation into EA—which appears to have led to the recent removal of FIFA 19's currency sales—may have prompted the decision.

Sarah started as a freelance writer in 2018, writing for PCGamesN, TechRadar, GamingBible, Red Bull Gaming and more. In 2021, she was offered a full-time position on the PC Gamer team where she takes every possible opportunity to talk about World of Warcraft and Elden Ring. When not writing guides, most of her spare time is spent in Azeroth—though she's quite partial to JRPGs too. One of her fondest hopes is to one day play through the ending of Final Fantasy X without breaking down into a sobbing heap. She probably has more wolves in Valheim than you.