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UKGC Report Reopens Loot Box Debate: Will Video Game Developers Have to Follow UK Online Casino Standards?

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The continued crossovers between video games and the casino industry have had some unintended consequences according to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Outlined in a recent report on children and gambling trends, the UKGC found that loot boxes could be harmful to minors. Although the latest study showed a decrease in gambling participation among 11-to-16-year-olds, the data suggests that the risks to children have increased. As per the findings, 31% of those surveyed have opened a loot box, while 3% say they’ve placed an in-game bet.

Are In-Game Add-Ons a Gamble?

For the government, the issue of loot boxes has been a talking point since 2017. Identifying an emerging trend among video game developers, Connor Rhys Deeley submitted an online petition to have loot boxes discussed in parliament. In writing his petition, Deeley argued that the in-game add-ons often contain prizes that are worth less than the purchase price. Citing a 2017 law passed in China, Deeley said that the boxes are, in essence, a form of gambling and should, therefore, be regulated by the UKGC.

Addressing the situation, then Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Tracey Crouch pointed to the UKGC previous statement on loot boxes.

“Where items obtained in a computer game can be traded or exchanged outside the game platform, they acquire a monetary value, and where facilities for gambling with such items are offered to consumers located in Britain a Gambling Commission licence is required,” concluded the government and the UKGC.

UKGC Guidelines Don’t Apply

By stating loot box prizes don’t have any real world value, the conclusion was that they fall outside of the UKGC’s regulatory remit. As it stands, any operator wanting to offer betting services in the UK must abide by a strictest of  guidelines. For example, 2005 regulations state that gaming companies don’t have to meet a statutory minimum payout percentage. However, they must clearly display the amount a player can, in theory, expect to win (known as the return to player/RTP). In essence, this rule is designed to give players the power to decide how much risk they want to expose themselves to.

In fact, this drive to give consumers more information has been a cornerstone of the UKGC’s policies over the last few years. Today UK casino and betting operators must provide clear and concise insights into every aspect of their product. From their payout structures and software suppliers to the terms and conditions attached to bonuses, everything has to be transparent and fair. Without meeting the expected standards, an operator risks receiving a fine or having their licence revoked. However, when it comes to video game companies, the same standards aren’t in place. For those entering the casino world, a UKGC licence is mark of quality, but no such label applies in the gaming sector.

Regulators Must Set the Standard

This disparity is something that campaigners have been pushing to address over the last 12 months. With loot boxes sharing similarities with casino games such as scratchcards or monetised versions of Deal or No Deal, many argue that UKGC standards should apply. In their defence, video game developers have said that loot boxes aren’t an integral part of a player’s experience.

“A player’s ability to succeed in the game is not dependent on purchasing crates. Players can also earn crates through playing the game and not spending any money at all,” a spokesperson for EA told Eurogamer.net.

However, the figures would seem to suggest otherwise. In addition to the UKGC’s report showing that 31% of child gamers have used loot boxes, estimates project that loot box revenue will hit £32 billion by 2022. Reviewing the current trend, analysts at Juniper Research found that more people are now taking part in so-called skin betting than ever before.

“These items have value depending on rarity and popularity within game communities. On PCs, skins are traded for real money via Steam’s Marketplace; the platform has 125 million registered users globally,” Lauren Foye of Juniper Research said in April 2018.

Licensed Loot Boxes May Happen in 2019

In light of the latest findings, the government is likely to face more tough questions regarding the regulation of loot boxes. In Belgium, ministers have already agreed that the boxes are a form of gambling. British politicians may soon take the same position. Indeed, with the protection of minors something the UKGC has been working hard on in recent times, the recent report will give those in power cause for concern. If that proves to be the case, we may see video game companies become subject to the same controls as UK online casino operators.


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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GGPoker Launches Exclusive Online Satellites To WSOP Circuit Bratislava

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Live poker festival hosted at Card Casino Bratislava, Slovakia from August 1 through August 12

GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, today announces the launch of online satellite tournaments for the WSOP-C Bratislava €1M-Guaranteed Main Event. This massive tournament headlines the upcoming WSOP Circuit Bratislava poker festival, which runs from August 1 through August 12 at Card Casino Bratislava and will be the sole WSOP-C stop in Slovakia this year.

WSOP-C Gold Ring & €1,000,000 Guaranteed

The WSOP-C Bratislava Main Event features a €1,500 buy-in, and the winning player will take home a coveted WSOP Circuit gold ring in addition to the largest slice of the €1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Players do not need big bankrolls to begin their journey to WSOP Circuit Bratislava. GGPoker qualifiers start at just €1, so a modest investment could win a ticket for the series’ headline event—and maybe even lead to a deep run and that prestigious ring!

Satellites From €1

GGPoker players can qualify via three stages:

  • €1 Step leading to
  • €15 Step leading to
  • €150 Final Phase Satellite

Players can buy in directly to any stage, and each €150 Final Phase Satellite guarantees at least three tickets to the €1,500 Main Event.

“The chance to qualify for the WSOP-C Bratislava Main Event for just €1 is hard to resist,” said Paul Burke, Head of PR at GGPoker. “With GGPoker’s online satellites, you can secure your seat from home and then make the trip to Bratislava for the live stages. We’re thrilled to bring this marquee tournament to Slovakia’s capital for the first time, putting world-class poker on players’ doorstep.”

Satellites are already available in the GGPoker tournament lobby, and the poker community can follow updates from the live festival on WSOP.com and Card Casino Bratislava’s social channels.

To ensure that WSOP Circuit Bratislava players enjoy the best experience possible, the festival will use the new WSOP+ application, which makes event registration, player tracking, and content sharing easier than ever before.

 

The post GGPoker Launches Exclusive Online Satellites To WSOP Circuit Bratislava appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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GoldenRace’s Social Crash, the feature of engagement

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GoldenRace, the leading B2B provider of award-winning Virtual Sports and betting solutions, has announced a major innovation in its Crash Games: a new in-game live chat feature designed to transform solo gaming into shared, interactive experiences.

Crash games have long been synonymous with speed, intensity and instant gratification – but they’ve traditionally lacked a social element. Now, GoldenRace is changing that with a feature that brings real-time interaction to online casinos, turning every session into a community-driven event.

“We wanted to recreate what retail betting has delivered for centuries – a truly social experience – but adapted for the online casinos,” said Martin Wachter, CEO & Founder of GoldenRace. “We’re giving operators the tools to engage more players, build stronger communities and maximise one of the industry’s fastest-growing verticals.”

Research consistently shows that social presence significantly boosts player retention, session duration and brand loyalty – especially among younger audiences who expect interactive, connected experiences.

The new functionality enables a live chat with preset messages, emoji reactions and instant cash-out sharing directly within the game interface. Every interaction is tied to a visible username, allowing players to see and respond to one another’s actions as they happen. Even with the chatbox packed, floating messages and emojis ensure no moment goes unnoticed.

From an operational perspective, the feature is seamless to integrate and manage. All settings are controlled directly from the back office, with no additional technical effort required.

The upgrade is now live across GoldenRace’s most popular Crash titles:

  • Meteoroid,
  • Fire Crash,
  • Jet Escape,
  • Boom Ball Juggle
  • Danfo Crash.

 

The post GoldenRace’s Social Crash, the feature of engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Vibra Mines: The Classic Minesweeper Transforms into an Explosive Game of Prizes and Strategy

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Keep clicking to uncover stars and boost your winnings… but one wrong move could blow up the game.

Vibra Gaming, the leading game and platform developer for the LatAm market, presents Vibra Mines, a modern and vibrant take on the legendary Minesweeper, where every decision can lead to huge multipliers and guaranteed excitement.

The game unfolds on a configurable grid (3×3, 5×5, 7×7, or 9×9) with hidden tiles. Players can choose how much to bet and how many bombs will be on the board decisions that directly influence the risk level and potential rewards. To win, players click on tiles to reveal stars, increasing their bet multiplier. At any moment, they can choose to cash out and walk away before a bomb is revealed.

The game also includes innovative mechanics that take the excitement to another level. By choosing the number of hidden bombs on the board, players can adjust the difficulty and boost their prize multiplier as the round progresses. Additionally, if a heart appears after triggering a bomb, the game grants an extra life, allowing the player to continue without ending the round. This unique mechanic adds an extra layer of thrill and strategy, as only one extra life can be obtained per round.

Sebastián Caden, Marketing Manager at Vibra Gaming, comments: “With Vibra Mines, we wanted to go back to basics: a simple yet captivating mechanic. It’s a game where intuition and strategy are key, and where every player can choose their own level of risk. We know it’s going to generate huge excitement among players throughout the region.”

 

The post Vibra Mines: The Classic Minesweeper Transforms into an Explosive Game of Prizes and Strategy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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