Gaming has long been a favorite pastime for most people. Most people stick to one gaming format, but then yearn for something new and exciting to challenge their gaming skills and their imagination. Accordingly, gaming operators recognize every gamer’s yearning for more and accordingly adjust games to give them more thrill and excitement.
As such, many gaming operators introduced elements into games similar to those of gambling as a way to ‘up the ante’. With the rise of online games featuring elements reminiscent of traditional gambling, such as loot boxes and in-game merchandise, a new issue arises, and the government seems to think it is something to regulate before it becomes unmanageable.
With gaming meeting gambling eye to eye, we will explore the fine line between the two and examine how various countries are addressing the risk and reward associated with the intersection.
The Intersection between Gaming and Gambling
It may sound cliché, but there is indeed a fine line between gaming and gambling. Gaming and gambling both involve elements of risk, reward, and the thrill of chance. One difference between the two is that one is primarily focused on skill and strategy, while the other relies heavily on luck and chance. Another is that one is focused mostly on entertainment, while the other is more on winning.
However, in recent years, gaming and gambling have both stood to become more intertwined. Online games began incorporating features that closely resemble gambling. Loot boxes, for instance, are virtual items that gamers can purchase within the game, containing certain prize items or in-game merchandise that they can use for a better gaming experience. Aside from loot boxes, there are also limited event rewards hosted by game operators where gamers get to win random rewards in exchange for a little bit of money.
While online games have gradually adopted gambling-style mechanics, casino platforms have been moving in a different direction. In Finland, what players commonly refer to as parhaat nettikasinot are increasingly shaped by modern game design, with clearer structure, lighter storytelling, and more playful presentation. Finnish gambling sites, for instance, play a role here by highlighting parhaat nettikasinot in an informative way, helping players compare platforms that offer secure environments, fast withdrawals, and tax-free winnings without turning the experience into something overwhelming or
It is through this intersection that allowed both gaming and gambling to become more exciting than ever.
The Regulatory Landscape
With this fine line between gaming and gambling, countries around the world have taken various approaches to regulate it with differing levels of stringency.
United States (US)
The US has renowned states that are fond of gambling and gaming, such as Florida and Nevada. While the other states are heavily regulating gaming and gambling, Florida and Nevada have legalized gambling and games with gambling-like features.
Accordingly, with the growing interest towards loot boxes and gambling-like elements the country’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has conducted workshops and investigations regarding the impact of loot boxes and all other gambling-like elements but federal regulations remain limited.
However, in recent years, these gambling-like elements remains to be a complex issue with no acceptable regulation. Yet the various states in the US have held differing actions about these things and its regulation continues to be diverse.
Finland
For decades, Finland’s gaming and gambling was originally held by the government. Its monopoly model once served its social purpose to protect its citizens from excess. However, as gaming and gambling progress, gamers no longer need physical venues, the government can no longer easily control or ensure fairness.
Accordingly, reforms were made and one of which is the regulation of gambling-like elements in games. In one of the proposed bills, they are seeking to amend their Lotteries Act by including the definition of lottery as “all virtually utilizable profits” with value. However, pushing for the bill is still in the process and will definitely take time before all nettikasinot get to impose a regulation.
Netherlands
While the United States and Finland show a loose approach in regulating gambling-like elements in games, the Netherlands follow a stricter approach.
Its gaming authority published a study which shows gambling-like elements contravene the law. As a result, many companies started disabling the possibility of transferring loot box prizes between gamers. However, this study did not mean it was legally impossible to feature loot boxes and other gambling-like elements.
As such, the Netherlands considered to ban these elements altogether as according to their gaming authority, transparency requirements might not be enough to sufficiently mitigate the risks it poses to gamers.
Final Thoughts
As gaming and gambling continue to intersect, it is crucial for countries to adapt more definite regulatory frameworks to better protect consumers without sacrificing entertainment.
Considering that the gaming and gambling landscape is diverse, regulatory bodies all over the world can come up with varying approaches that are applicable to their country. Accordingly, to ensure it works best to their local consumers and gamers, they should take note of reflecting their unique cultural and societal values and consider the level of regulation accepted by the gaming community within their country.
