2 ms·

Just checked what the four most popular game of all games on twitch.com are. At this moment they are, in order of viewers: - Dota 2 (in-game gambling, 3d party

Just checked what the four most popular game of all games on twitch.com are. At this moment they are, in order of viewers: - Dota 2 (in-game gambling, 3d party sites for cashing out) - Heartstone (game revolves around in-game gambling, no 3d party allowed) - League of Legends (only 3d party sites!) - CS:go (in-game gambling, 3d party sites for cashing out) So from only looking at the very top games 3/4 involves heavy use of in-game gambling. Them being popular competitive games it's natural that e-sports betting is available for all of them. In 2/4 it's trivial to cash out in the other two's you'd have to sell your account.

jw- 11y ago
I would distinguish Hearthstone (a.k.a Wizard Poker) from the rest; Hearthstone is fundamentally a gambling game. However, I would also distinguish the "in-game" gambling in Hearthstone from CSGO because there is no legitimate or practical way to monetize your card collection. Once (or if) you have all the cards, there is little incentive to keep buying packs as you can only play with cards. In CSGO however, there is always the potential to open a new valuable skin that can be sold.
- johanneskanybal 11y ago
  There's different twists to it, no doubt, it's just distracting the point I was making though. I just found it highly interesting that 12 year old's gambling was such a recipe for success that 3 out of 4 of the most popular games out there have it as a core feature. I tend to have a Bigger issue when it's in-game than out of game because do you really want the worlds best digital-heroin makers to run casinos where your kids are the guests?
WorldMaker 11y ago
There were several big Pinball machine bans that nearly killed Pinball machines (the big one being New York City's 30 year ban). I do think that all it takes is a couple of concerned parents or a well respected congress member watching a few Twitch streams too many and watch that bloom into a bit of a moral panic and suddenly you'll see some gambling law based videogame bans.

jw- 11y ago

I would distinguish Hearthstone (a.k.a Wizard Poker) from the rest; Hearthstone is fundamentally a gambling game. However, I would also distinguish the "in-game" gambling in Hearthstone from CSGO because there is no legitimate or practical way to monetize your card collection. Once (or if) you have all the cards, there is little incentive to keep buying packs as you can only play with cards. In CSGO however, there is always the potential to open a new valuable skin that can be sold.

johanneskanybal 11y ago
There's different twists to it, no doubt, it's just distracting the point I was making though. I just found it highly interesting that 12 year old's gambling was such a recipe for success that 3 out of 4 of the most popular games out there have it as a core feature. I tend to have a Bigger issue when it's in-game than out of game because do you really want the worlds best digital-heroin makers to run casinos where your kids are the guests?

WorldMaker 11y ago

There were several big Pinball machine bans that nearly killed Pinball machines (the big one being New York City's 30 year ban). I do think that all it takes is a couple of concerned parents or a well respected congress member watching a few Twitch streams too many and watch that bloom into a bit of a moral panic and suddenly you'll see some gambling law based videogame bans.