Gambling or not gambling?

Discussion in 'General Game Discussion and Questions' started by Panda Rascal, Feb 13, 2014.

  1. Panda Rascal

    Panda Rascal Active Member

    Feb 13, 2014
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    Hi everyone!

    I'm currently designing a pet raising game wherein you can let them fight in arenas. Using virtual coins, which you earn by doing some adventuring, you can use these coins to bet on the arena fighters to potentially multiply your coins.

    If you can do in-app purchases to increase these coins and somehow the game allows you to redeem real items through the use of the virtual coins, is this considered gambling?

    I am in need of some "gambling" clarifications..
     
  2. saansilt

    saansilt 👮 Spam Police 🚓

    Mar 23, 2013
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    It is. You are betting a currency on a result, reguardless of how that currency was aquired, thus gambling on your sucess. It is gambling, since casino chips are basically the same principal. Minus redeeming the stand in currency for true monetary returns.
     
  3. Panda Rascal

    Panda Rascal Active Member

    Feb 13, 2014
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    Thanks Saansilt for your input!

    But if I remove the ability to use credit cards to purchase the virtual coins, instead in-app purchases will be for items that could help them get through the adventuring, say, a power up or a reward multiplier for the reward at the end of the adventure. I am no longer manipulating the amount of virtual coins the player can have, is this still gambling?
     
  4. saansilt

    saansilt 👮 Spam Police 🚓

    Mar 23, 2013
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    Nice curve ball.
    Well now you still are banking on a result, but its indirect, and has a known effect that is garunteed. I needa think about this a bit more.
     
  5. aconfusedkender

    aconfusedkender Well-Known Member

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    What kind of items can people trade in "currency" for to acquire in real life?
     
  6. saansilt

    saansilt 👮 Spam Police 🚓

    Mar 23, 2013
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    Okay, after thinking on it, I don't feel that doublers are true gambling. You are getting a definate result from the multipliers (x2,x3, etc.) despite the actual number being doubled varying.



    In casinos, you trade in chips for real money equivelent to their value.
    At amusement arcades, its tickets for small prizes.
     
  7. m44

    m44 Well-Known Member

    Feb 16, 2013
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    #7 m44, Feb 13, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2014

    This is a complicated question Panda Rascal. The laws are going to be totally different from state to state. Generally speaking, anything where you risk cash for the chance at winning a prize is considered gambling.

    Here's a link that may be interesting: http://nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu/?p=4014

    ^^^^ Basically by purchasing a internet card (like a phone card) you were entered into a "sweepstakes" where you could win cash/prizes. This was considered gambling by the state, because a statute makes it a crime to “operate . . . an electronic machine” to “[c]onduct a sweepstakes through the use of an entertaining display, including . . . the reveal of a prize.”

    People have even gone after Chuck E. Cheese for having "illegal gambling" machines. http://www.coin-op.org/?p=595

    I'm not trying to scare you off the IAP coins thing. As long as those prizes are in-game, you will be fine. But, if you want to start trading in digital prizes for real-life prizes you're going to have problems.
     
  8. kmacleod

    kmacleod Well-Known Member
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    It's that last part that would be the most controversial, I think. Any game where you can put money in, exchange it with another player (though gameplay or not), and then get something tangible out that could be traded for real money, will potentially run afoul of gambling laws and regulations.
     
  9. Panda Rascal

    Panda Rascal Active Member

    Feb 13, 2014
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    thanks for the reply, things like, plushies, shirts, i plan to partner myself with brands to increase likability of the game.
     
  10. Panda Rascal

    Panda Rascal Active Member

    Feb 13, 2014
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    yeah, in this sense i don't think i am using money to increase my virtual coins but im using it instead to enhance gameplay, yes?
     
  11. Panda Rascal

    Panda Rascal Active Member

    Feb 13, 2014
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    hey! thanks for replying and giving insights! I'm thinking about this properly as it could be a really good idea or a really bad one.

    My ideal game has no sweepstakes feature though, it will just allow players who have earned enough virtual coin to buy plushies, shirts, and some other merchandise in real life.
     
  12. Panda Rascal

    Panda Rascal Active Member

    Feb 13, 2014
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    thanks for replying :)

    the virtual money can't be exchanged with another player, but the idea is it can be used to buy real life stuffs like shirts, plushies, and other merchandises.
     

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