Fortnite Developer Epic Games Enters Risky Terrain: Gambling Mechanics to be Added in Future Game Update

Some leaks say that Fortnite, the famous battle royale video game, may integrate gambling mechanisms directly into the game in a future update, which will cause a lot of controversy.

Embattled battle-royale giant Fortnite may be poised for a controversial pivot: according to leaked information, the upcoming Chapter 7 update appears to be planning gambling-style mechanics within the game.

As the widely-followed Fortnite leak account “ShiinaBR” has revealed, one of the major changes suggested for the new chapter is the introduction of randomized “gambling” loot or reward mechanics — where players spend the in-game currency (V-Bucks) for random rewards, possibly akin to loot boxes.

What’s Being Leaked?

According to the leak, the gambling-type mechanics are set to appear in the games created via the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) platform, meaning community-created experiences may be the initial venue.

Key points of the leak:

• Players would be able to purchase “random items” with V-Bucks.
• Developers/creators will presumably need to disclose odds for these random-reward systems — a nod to regulation and transparency in gambling-adjacent mechanics.
• Experiences involving these mechanics could be region-locked in some nations due to local gambling laws.
• While similar mechanics (e.g., pet-egg hatches) already exist in Fortnite under different models (soft-currency not purchased directly), this is a departure because V-Bucks are purchased, and the reward is randomized.

Epic’s Official Response

Epic Games has reportedly reached out to interrupt the narrative — the company denies that gambling mechanics are being added in the way the leak describes. Nevertheless, the article notes that the classification of “gambling” is contested.

The potential introduction of gambling mechanics in one of the world’s most popular games raises multiple issues:

• Regulatory and legal: Many jurisdictions have strict rules about games of chance, especially when the purchase of in-game currency leads directly to random rewards with real-world value.
• Ethical/game-design: Players (particularly younger players, given Fortnite’s broad demographics) may be drawn into spending money for uncertain rewards — even if the odds are disclosed.
• Community reaction: The Fortnite community has shown resistance in the past to predatory monetisation (e.g., loot boxes, aggressive micro-transactions). Introducing “gambling-style” mechanics will likely provoke debate.
• Developer ecosystem: If this is initially for UEFN creators, it empowers the content-creation side of Fortnite’s ecosystem — yet also raises questions of responsibility and monitoring.

What don’t we know yet:

• Whether this mechanic will be rolled out globally at once, or in selected regions/countries.
• Whether it will affect the main Fortnite Battle Royale mode or remain confined to UEFN/creator modes.
• Exactly what items/rewards will be randomly distributed, and how the system will be balanced.
• The timeline and whether this feature will be present right at the Chapter 7 launch, or in a subsequent update.

What This Means for Fortnite eSports Betting

Bookmakers covering Fortnite eSports, such as dedicated bookmakers for esport, are paying close attention to these leaks, and not without reason. The introduction—or even the perception—of gambling-style mechanics within Fortnite could trigger heightened regulatory scrutiny, especially in jurisdictions already sensitive to underage gambling risks.

Sportsbooks may temporarily scale back the variety of markets they offer, delay the release of odds, or avoid UEFN-based competitions altogether until Epic clarifies how the new mechanics operate and confirms that they won’t influence competitive gameplay.

Integrity concerns also come into play: bookmakers need assurance that randomized, V-Bucks-driven systems won’t affect performance, player decisions, or competitive formats. Until that clarity arrives, expect betting operators to adopt a cautious stance, focusing on established esports events and limiting exposure to potential compliance risks.

Watch this space — as Chapter 7 approaches, and more details potentially leak or are officially confirmed, the gaming industry and Fortnite’s player base will be paying close attention to how this evolves.