4 ms·

So if we assume gambling should be regulated, and that pay-to-play loot boxes are gambling... Why haven’t the licensed gambling venues (casinos, lotto, and wha

So if we assume gambling should be regulated, and that pay-to-play loot boxes are gambling... Why haven’t the licensed gambling venues (casinos, lotto, and what have you) pressured the regulators to stop the unlicensed gambling? Or have they and I’m not aware / the regulator is dragging its feet? Do the licensed gambling entities not perceive this as a threat? Or has gambling revenue increase overall because these games / apps basically groom young people in to being habitual gamblers as they age?

JackCh 9y ago
> "Do the licensed gambling entities not perceive this as a threat? Or has gambling revenue increase overall because these games / apps basically groom young people in to being habitual gamblers as they age?" Probably a little of column A, a little of column B. The kids gambling with these games aren't potential customers for casinos since they're underage, but the habits they form as children may translate into willingness to gamble as adults. Maybe those kids-turned-adults will continue to gamble with video games instead of casinos, but I'd wager those casinos expect it to be a net positive for them overall. After all casinos offer "perks" that video games can't; free drinks, buffets, etc..
deleted 9y ago
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lagadu 9y ago
Presumably because the regulator has nothing to do with the issue before a court determines that loot box providers fall under their jurisdiction.
- JackCh 9y ago
  That's just being pedantic. Swap out "pressured the regulators" with "lobby the lawmakers" and his question is perfectly valid. Let's not pretend large corporations like casinos can't throw their weight around politically.
cableshaft 9y ago
I bet it's somehow not on their radar. Because they have done this in the past. They shut down online poker in the US in 2011 by paying off a couple Senators to attach the ban into a Port Security act, which most legislators didn't want to not pass as they don't want to appear weak on security (also they probably didn't read the whole act). My Dad's a great poker player and his secondary source of income vanished overnight. He still complains about it. https://medium.com/@bostonirishblog/the-simple-science-behind-senator-bill-frist-torpedoing-internet-poker-and-gambling-fd55d3ae21cd https://medium.com/@bostonirishblog/the-simple-science-behin...
- monetus 9y ago
  I'm still annoyed. It really clamped down on the culture.

JackCh 9y ago

> "Do the licensed gambling entities not perceive this as a threat? Or has gambling revenue increase overall because these games / apps basically groom young people in to being habitual gamblers as they age?" Probably a little of column A, a little of column B. The kids gambling with these games aren't potential customers for casinos since they're underage, but the habits they form as children may translate into willingness to gamble as adults. Maybe those kids-turned-adults will continue to gamble with video games instead of casinos, but I'd wager those casinos expect it to be a net positive for them overall. After all casinos offer "perks" that video games can't; free drinks, buffets, etc..

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[deleted]

lagadu 9y ago

Presumably because the regulator has nothing to do with the issue before a court determines that loot box providers fall under their jurisdiction.

JackCh 9y ago
That's just being pedantic. Swap out "pressured the regulators" with "lobby the lawmakers" and his question is perfectly valid. Let's not pretend large corporations like casinos can't throw their weight around politically.

cableshaft 9y ago

I bet it's somehow not on their radar. Because they have done this in the past. They shut down online poker in the US in 2011 by paying off a couple Senators to attach the ban into a Port Security act, which most legislators didn't want to not pass as they don't want to appear weak on security (also they probably didn't read the whole act). My Dad's a great poker player and his secondary source of income vanished overnight. He still complains about it. https://medium.com/@bostonirishblog/the-simple-science-behind-senator-bill-frist-torpedoing-internet-poker-and-gambling-fd55d3ae21cd https://medium.com/@bostonirishblog/the-simple-science-behin...

monetus 9y ago
I'm still annoyed. It really clamped down on the culture.