As much as i'm not a fan of Loot Boxes. I see them no different to Card Packs for Trading Cards, or card based games (like MTG for example) and as such i don't entirely get the mass anger over them, as they are, for the most part, used on Cosmetic Items.
Unfortunately, like anything where legality is involved, so is clever wordplay since letting something like lootboxes might also let other forms of similar tactics be legal as well. So while it may seem silly if not arrogant, you have to understand the politicians you're dealing with who will go by the laws and their background on the subject, and lets not forget how many politicians aren't very familiar with video games or technology. These types of politicians are basically going off what they're told or preconceived notions (see any videos from when congress questioned Zuckerberg a few months back and you'll see what i mean)
RE: EA and their "surprise mechanics"