https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/games-featuring-paid-loot-boxes-will-soon-receive-a-mandatory-m-rating-in-australia
The Australian Government doesn't want titles featuring "in-game purchases with an element of chance" being recommended to children under 15 years of age.
Simulated gambling still cause the brain to become addicted to gambling, which then in turn leads to serious issues.
I think "cause" is a little bit of a strong word here unless there are studies I haven't seen. The studies I've read are about correlation between simulated gambling and problem gambling. A child who spends a lot of time on simulated casino games is more likely to problematic gamble as an adult - but that's not a causal link. The child could like the simulated gambling and real gambling because they were already predisposed to gambling in general.
The problem with loot boxes and micro-transactions tied to chance is they let kids actually problematic gamble. And this lootbox/real world money style of gambling is also correlated with problematic gambling in adulthood yet they're being left at mature instead of 18+. It really doesn't make sense treating simulated only gambling harsher.
You form positive associations with the act of gambling in a young age. That problematic.
They should take out the gambling and instead implement games that you can win reliable trough skill. That way you form positive associations with putting in the work.