EA Sports to remove FIFA Ultimate Team points in Belgium

EA Sports are set to end the sale of FIFA Ultimate Team points in Belgium, in response to a ruling in the country against alleged 'unregulated gambling'.

Ultimate Team players have the opportunity to earn coins in the popular game mode, which can then be invested in the purchase of packs of new players.

The game, however, also offers users the option of buying points - an alternative to coins - directly with a credit or debit card.

It is this practice which has come under scrutiny in Belgium, with the country cracking down on the FIFA series and other games which function with similar features.

And while the company does not agree that, as was ruled, the purchasing of points to buy randomised packs is a form of gambling, EA Sports will comply with the order.

"After further discussions with the Belgian authorities, we have decided to stop offering FIFA Points for sale in Belgium," EA signalled in a statement on Tuesday .

"We’re working to make these changes effective in our FIFA console and PC games by January 31, 2019. This means that players in Belgium will not be able to purchase points to obtain FIFA Ultimate Team packs. Players still can access Ultimate Team and play with their existing players. 

"All content in the game can be earned through gameplay, as has always been the case, and players can continue to use coins and the in-game transfer market. Any players in Belgium that have existing FIFA Points in their accounts can continue to use them, but they will not be able to purchase more. 

"We apologize to our players in Belgium for any inconvenience caused by this change. 

"We seek to bring choice, fairness, value and fun to our players in all our games. In addition to providing players options in how they play, we include pack probabilities in our games for the transparency players want to make informed content choices. 

"While we are taking this action, we do not agree with Belgian authorities’ interpretation of the law, and we will continue to seek more clarity on the matter as we go forward.

"The impact of this change to FIFA Ultimate Team in Belgium is not material to our financial performance."