Frequently Asked Questions

How many retailers are working with the ESRB?

In the United States, virtually all major national retailers, countless independent retailers, additional game center operators and many more internet sites are working with the ESRB to provide ratings education and store policy materials. Click here for a list of participating retailers.

In 2005, the ESRB Retail Council (ERC) was established to further the commitment of national retailers in the United States to support ESRB ratings. In Canada, numerous national retailers, local retailers and other websites participate in the Retail Council of Canada Commitment To Parents program, which includes supporting ESRB ratings education and enforcement of store policies not to sell M (Mature) and AO (Adults Only) rated games to children under 17 and 18 respectively. Click here for a list of participating retailers.

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What is the ESRB Retail Council?

The ESRB Retail Council (ERC) is a commitment on the part of national retailers in the United States aimed at educating consumers about ESRB video game ratings, enhancing compliance with store policies restricting the sale of M (Mature) and AO (Adults Only) rated video games to customers 17 and 18 years of age or older respectively unless permission from a parent has been obtained, and providing parents with the ability to return or exchange games sold to their children in violation of those policies. The ERC also addresses store associate training with respect to ESRB ratings, and allows member retailers to share best practices to improve performance. Finally, the ERC facilitates regular self-auditing, the results of which member retailers may use to help gauge their performance and implement improvements, where necessary. All ERC members have committed to comply with the ERC Code.

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Will ESRB provide ratings signs for my store?

The ESRB relies on retailers to print signs for their stores. Upon registration, retailers can either download high-resolution artwork or order signs directly from an authorized vendor.

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Is the retail partnership program limited to in-store signs about ratings?

The ESRB's retail partnership program includes a variety of components including store policy signs, sales associate training information, PSAs for print ads and online banner ads, rating information for websites and much more.

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Does the retail partnership program provide materials for game center operators?

Yes. Upon registration, game center operators can download ratings education artwork or order signs directly from an authorized vendor. The ESRB also provides game center sales associate training information.

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Am I breaking any laws if I do not display ratings education signage?

In the United States, ESRB works closely with video game retailers and their trade association, the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) to provide the tools necessary to ensure that ratings education signage is displayed in stores throughout the country. For specific federal, state and local regulations regarding the sale or rental of computer and video games or display of ratings education signage in the U.S., please contact the EMA. In Canada, please contact the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and/or Entertainment Software Association Canada (ESA Canada).

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Is it illegal to sell M (Mature) or AO (Adults Only) rated games to children under 17 and 18 years of age respectively?

ESRB supports retailers' voluntary policies restricting the rental or sale of M (Mature) and AO (Adults Only) computer and video games in the United States to customers 17 and 18 years of age or older respectively unless permission from a parent has been obtained. Through efforts such as the ESRB Retail Council (ERC) and a strong commitment on the part of major video game retailers, stores have vastly improved the rate at which they comply with these store policies, as measured by both the ERC mystery shopper audits as well as those conducted by the FTC. More information on regulatory issues in the U.S. is available through the websites of the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) and Entertainment Software Association (ESA). In Canada, feel free to contact or check the websites of the Entertainment Software Association Canada (ESA Canada) and/or the Retail Council of Canada (RCC).

How effective has the retail partnership program been?

Through direct retail partnerships and the efforts of the ESRB Retail Council (ERC) in the U.S. and the Commitment to Parents initiative in Canada, the ESRB has implemented ratings education programs with nearly every major computer and video game retailer in North America. Retailers' commitment to enforcing their store policies has also been furthered through ESRB's efforts, as evidenced by the high levels of compliance reported through ERC mystery shopper audits in the U.S. The ESRB also provides ratings education resources to numerous independent retailers. In its first year alone, over one billion consumer impressions were generated through the retail partnership program, which continues to contribute to greater awareness and use of the rating system by parents and other consumers. These successes would not be possible without the significant support of retailers throughout the United States and Canada.