UKGC to Begin Monitoring Video Game Gambling

31.07.2019, 12:15

For a while, UK Gambling Commission has been keen to monitor the safety of children from engaging in gambling activities. Little did the UK regulators know that the problem is allegedly emerging from the unsuspected quotas.

UKGC is set to start watching video games keenly in an effort of trying to establish if such entertainment have gambling aspects. The anticipated strict monitoring is coming amid claims of video games exposing children to gambling habits. This comes after several reports of such mechanics as loot boxes directly leading to gambling.

While answering to MPs, UKGC recently made it clear that some video game developers are at risks of facing prosecution. The Guardian had earlier reported that some video games are putting minors in a harmful way of gambling. The media house narrated how such games contained Call of Duty and Counter-Strike gestures.

In the 2016 Bloomberg expose, it was visible how some sites permitted players to gamble with in-game item skins. The expose decried how Valve market has led to the emergence of uniqueness and value for specific products. Subsequently, Valve was sued for illegal skins gambling, due to them giving the means to operate the gambling sites to third parties.

Nevertheless, the gaming loot boxes that Electronic Arts (EA) use for its popular FIFA series are still considered to be legal.

Current Video Games Gambling Law in the UK

UKGC program director Brad Enright told MPs sitting in the digital, media, culture, and sports committee that current legislation bar the regulators from taking actions. The lawmakers are only investigating gambling and gaming have some links. However, the program director indicated the regulator’s readiness to take measures upon law enactment.

The regulator acknowledged that EA wasn’t bearing dangers to minors since its loot boxes are difficult to sell. Furthermore, one MP has said that loot boxes are not gambling, straight out.

Ian Lucas, who is one of the MPs in the committee, noted that gambling companies get punitive measures for the manner they use in promotion. However, he was quick to point out that possible winning never attracts punishment.

Lucas made his observation in reference to an overwhelming $2 billion loot box revenue in 2017. UKGC executive director Neil McArthur aired his concern regarding the inability of video games to verify age during purchase. His remarks were visibility made in comparison with gambling products which establish the age. The loophole that video games are the possibility to let a child buy a skin or a loot box without age confirmation.