Here's the thing about lootboxes, to compulsive gamblers they ARE indeed gambling. And worse, it's gambling they CAN'T see coming. Even WORSE, it's gambling that can be introduced into what USED to be spaces where they went to AVOID engaging in addict behavior. And that's not just testimonials. We do, in fact, have data. In places where lootboxes have already BEEN regulated/with companies willing to take a profit hit for PR the ONLY people whose spending habits on a given game changed were compulsive gamblers.
And frankly, it doesn't take a genius to see some pretty strong distinctions between trading cards(at least physical) and lootboxes. One of the REALLY obvious ones is the way most lootboxes make giant shows of it. Another is that trading cards are always worth something to someone, oh, and there's a singles market, if you don't WANT to take risks with card packs you don't have to. EDIT Because Also: And btw, I wouldn't be distraught over TCG's getting regulated in a similar way to gambling, even for the differences they're close enough.
As for "optional"... often they are, then there's the Pay to Win variants, AKA EA's ENTIRE BLOODY BUSINESS MODEL.
As for parental controls... I go looking for them sometimes when I wanna dump a few hours in pointless frustration. Finding them is bloody hard.