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hampstar · 07-04-2007, 08:25 PM

Law firm Campbell Hooper has warned that unless they take action now, some MMO operators risk their games being deemed illegal when a new law comes into force later this year.

"In September the remaining provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 will finally come into force. Its main purpose is to update the law on gambling, which in some cases is over 50 years old and is therefore inadequate for the modern world," Campbell Hooper's Alex Chapman told GamesIndustry.biz.

The Act is designed to regulate online gambling, which companies will be able to operate from within the UK for the first time. However, massively multiplayer online games which offer prizes will also be subject to the new laws.

"This is because the new law creates a new single definition for 'Gambling', which includes playing a game of chance for a prize, and makes it a criminal offence to provide facilities for gambling without having and complying with an operators licence," explained Chapman.

The Act defines a "game of chance" as any game which involves elements of both chance and skill, or where superlative skill can eliminate chance. The definition of "prize" includes cash prizes, products and virtual prizes which can be exchanged for money.

"This arguably puts the marketplaces in MMOGs such as Station Exchange in Everquest in the firing line, and makes the products sold through them "prizes" - since they have a monetary worth," said Chapman.

However, he continued, MMO operators can avoid any potential penalties by obtaining an operators' licence from the Gambling Commission.

"This is not a simple task, but it is also not overtly complex. The key is to satisfy the Commission that you have in place an operation that satisfies the requirements and key objectives of the new law."

These include commitments to ensuring fair and open gambling, the protection of children and other vulnerable persons and the prevention of links between gambling and crime.

"This is something all current operators of these games, and those looking to enter this market, should seriously consider now," Chapman concluded - adding that his firm is already working to obtain licences for clients, and is in talks with the Gambling Commission over the MMO issue.

Kelador · 07-04-2007, 08:43 PM

Its only going to effect games that offer real money rewards for gambling or winning of like tournments etc and there are not that many that do that. Also i cant see why Station Exchange would be classed as gambling i mean just looks like an auction type system to me like ebay etc and that is not gambling.

Fullmetal · 07-05-2007, 03:32 AM

Yeah what the above poster said,but Gambling in MMORPG's is where you pay a crapload of money in hopes of getting something really awesome.

corasked · 07-05-2007, 03:43 AM

These people wont stop,why do they attempt to feed on ones happiness(not me )...

onesbronson · 07-05-2007, 03:44 AM

Heres a question: Why should they care? Its just games either way then see it, nothing illegal about playing or gambling in them.

roller-shred · 07-05-2007, 05:52 AM

everything in the usa is a crime these days , i mean skateing of any sort isnt a crime but its treated as if it is when a cops sees you , and plus it just sounds like they want to make money off of the game companies that do have prizes liek that becasue games are getting alot bigger.

or im just retarded and dont understand , any who back to fidning a better game to play.

Stabkiller0 · 07-05-2007, 06:16 AM

Those MMO operators are going to need to find Loopholes in these freaking stupid laws. Why the hell did they delve this deep in the first place?

Whist · 07-05-2007, 06:40 AM

If playing a game to win a prize is gambling...

Then I gamble at my job.

We're having a contest to win summerfest tickets in chicago.
....

Unless the law is just really really dumb, I don't think playing a game with a chance to win something for playing is gambling.
Last time I checked google (2 seconds ago) gambling is defined as "Gambling (or betting) is any behavior involving risking money or valuables (making a wager or placing a stake) on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event in which the outcome of that activity depends partially or totally upon chance or upon one's ability to do something. "

I see no risk in playing a game that gives you a chance to win things.

Warlordrody · 07-05-2007, 06:40 AM

Sigh... they need money again ><

Tiptoe · 07-05-2007, 07:34 AM

I can sort of understand the need for it. Look at games like 'Entropia Universe' that whole game is just one big gambling pyramid.

I also know of a free to play mmorpg called 'Mo Siang' that sells a treasure box (for real life money) from their item mall.

When you click on this box you have a 'chance' of winning 1 million skill points. But it's entirely random and the odds of winning are extemely slim. However, some people are spending hundreds of real life dollars on these treasure boxes in the hopes of winning the skill point prize.

Now that's gambling if ever I saw it. People, especially kids, need some type of protection from these types of games. So maybe this new law isn't such a bad thing, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Cheers

07-04-2007, 08:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
hampstar Bongo Crazy Kong Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 239 Reputation: 9	MMO's may need gambling license or be shut down. Law firm Campbell Hooper has warned that unless they take action now, some MMO operators risk their games being deemed illegal when a new law comes into force later this year. "In September the remaining provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 will finally come into force. Its main purpose is to update the law on gambling, which in some cases is over 50 years old and is therefore inadequate for the modern world," Campbell Hooper's Alex Chapman told GamesIndustry.biz. The Act is designed to regulate online gambling, which companies will be able to operate from within the UK for the first time. However, massively multiplayer online games which offer prizes will also be subject to the new laws. "This is because the new law creates a new single definition for 'Gambling', which includes playing a game of chance for a prize, and makes it a criminal offence to provide facilities for gambling without having and complying with an operators licence," explained Chapman. The Act defines a "game of chance" as any game which involves elements of both chance and skill, or where superlative skill can eliminate chance. The definition of "prize" includes cash prizes, products and virtual prizes which can be exchanged for money. "This arguably puts the marketplaces in MMOGs such as Station Exchange in Everquest in the firing line, and makes the products sold through them "prizes" - since they have a monetary worth," said Chapman. However, he continued, MMO operators can avoid any potential penalties by obtaining an operators' licence from the Gambling Commission. "This is not a simple task, but it is also not overtly complex. The key is to satisfy the Commission that you have in place an operation that satisfies the requirements and key objectives of the new law." These include commitments to ensuring fair and open gambling, the protection of children and other vulnerable persons and the prevention of links between gambling and crime. "This is something all current operators of these games, and those looking to enter this market, should seriously consider now," Chapman concluded - adding that his firm is already working to obtain licences for clients, and is in talks with the Gambling Commission over the MMO issue.

07-04-2007, 08:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kelador Sun? What Sun? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK Posts: 997 Reputation: 12	Its only going to effect games that offer real money rewards for gambling or winning of like tournments etc and there are not that many that do that. Also i cant see why Station Exchange would be classed as gambling i mean just looks like an auction type system to me like ebay etc and that is not gambling. Last edited by Kelador; 07-04-2007 at 08:47 PM.

07-05-2007, 03:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
onesbronson SuperKenshin's Servent Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,083 Reputation: 10	Heres a question: Why should they care? Its just games either way then see it, nothing illegal about playing or gambling in them. __________________ (\__/) This is Bunny. (='.'=) Cut, copy, and paste bunny onto your sig. (")_(") Help Bunny gain World Domination.

07-05-2007, 05:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
roller-shred Link's Dirty Sock Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 45 Reputation: 10	everything in the usa is a crime these days , i mean skateing of any sort isnt a crime but its treated as if it is when a cops sees you , and plus it just sounds like they want to make money off of the game companies that do have prizes liek that becasue games are getting alot bigger. or im just retarded and dont understand , any who back to fidning a better game to play. __________________ Freestyle Rolling Waiting on Darkfall

07-05-2007, 06:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
Warlordrody Shadowsworn's Sandwich Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,845 Reputation: 35	Sigh... they need money again >< __________________

07-05-2007, 03:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Fullmetal Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 3,706 Reputation: 113	Yeah what the above poster said,but Gambling in MMORPG's is where you pay a crapload of money in hopes of getting something really awesome.

07-05-2007, 03:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
corasked Banned Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 3,082 Reputation: 19	These people wont stop,why do they attempt to feed on ones happiness(not me )...

07-05-2007, 06:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
Stabkiller0 OnRPG Elite Member! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,757 Reputation: 26	Those MMO operators are going to need to find Loopholes in these freaking stupid laws. Why the hell did they delve this deep in the first place?

07-05-2007, 06:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
Whist Wario’s Bad Accent Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 498 Reputation: 10	If playing a game to win a prize is gambling... Then I gamble at my job. We're having a contest to win summerfest tickets in chicago. .... Unless the law is just really really dumb, I don't think playing a game with a chance to win something for playing is gambling. Last time I checked google (2 seconds ago) gambling is defined as "Gambling (or betting) is any behavior involving risking money or valuables (making a wager or placing a stake) on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event in which the outcome of that activity depends partially or totally upon chance or upon one's ability to do something. " I see no risk in playing a game that gives you a chance to win things.

07-05-2007, 07:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tiptoe Luigi’s Pizza Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 147 Reputation: 10	I can sort of understand the need for it. Look at games like 'Entropia Universe' that whole game is just one big gambling pyramid. I also know of a free to play mmorpg called 'Mo Siang' that sells a treasure box (for real life money) from their item mall. When you click on this box you have a 'chance' of winning 1 million skill points. But it's entirely random and the odds of winning are extemely slim. However, some people are spending hundreds of real life dollars on these treasure boxes in the hopes of winning the skill point prize. Now that's gambling if ever I saw it. People, especially kids, need some type of protection from these types of games. So maybe this new law isn't such a bad thing, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Cheers

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