Thoughts on LL Wagering Policy

So, what do we know about it? Basically it bans all games of chance. First lets look at the definitions of games of chance, given to us by Lindens themselves.

About Games of Chance:

1) requires a user to contribute money (Linden dollars or any other currency) or objects of value to play the game
2) Rely on chance or random number generation to determine a winner, OR rely on the outcome of real-life organized sporting events.
3) Provide a payout in Linden Dollars, or any real-world currency or thing of value.

About Games of Skill:

1) "This policy only applies to wagering games that meet the criteria listed above. If your game or contest does not meet the above criteria, it is not restricted under this policy, but applicable laws and local practice may impose additional requirements on you."
(https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/features/blog/2007/07/26/wagering-in-second-life-new-policy)

2) "This policy only applies to wagering games that involve an element of chance. This includes, for instance, any game involving random number generation, simulated dice, cards, poker, lotteries, bingo, or any other “chance” game. Games of pure intellectual or physical skill, such as puzzles or other skill contests, may not fall under this definition." (https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/features/blog/2007/08/10/anti-gambling-policy-update-faq)

So, what conclusions can we make? How do we create a TOS complaint game? According to the above we can:

1) Make games that dont require a player to pay in order to play. There is a lot of such games, and they sell pretty well. For example Una card game. It doesnt require players to pay in and thus is legal. A poker game that doesnt require players to pay is also legal.

2) Remove any chance elements in the game. This criterion is practically impossible to meet since most games of skill include some chance elements. The only games which can meet the criterion and remain interesting are multiplayer games where the unknown and
uncontrolled element is the opponents mind. So, for example, a game of chess meets this criterion.

3) Don't give out money as prizes. I head such a suggestion somewhere. So basically if you take money from a player to play the game, but dont give him anything in return, its not a fraud, its a completely legal thing. Or at least "TOS-complaint".
But hey, some people can play games just for fun! Thats how game making business works in Real Life. e.g. people dont expect to win real money playing Tetris or Monopoly, but they still pay money to buy the game.

Instead of a conclusion. Even if you make a perfect skill game, remember that it MAY be removed by the Lindens nonetheless. At least thats how we can understand their "Games of pure intellectual or physical skill, such as puzzles or other skill contests, MAY not fall under this definition".

So good luck out there, game makers!
Oops...I wanted to say - good SKILL!

P.S. If any Linden is reading this message - please tell G-Team members that I would LOVE to chat with them.

Dont' ask the lindens... they're following US law

Talk to your senetor. And no, it doesn't matter if you're not in the US. SL's hosting are in California and Texas... as a location of their business they are bound by the The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

Sorry, the Lindens would have probably left well enough alone if they could have. Was making them money too. But 2 years later... they have to be in compliance with this law.

Korwyn, can you provide some verifiable source for the accusation against Linden Research, Inc you post there ?

You're accusing them of violating US Laws, that's a quiet serious charge.

Thanks in advance.

Do a search on 'gaming' or 'gambling', I think that horse has been beaten enough in the forums.

It's still a controversial topic because the policy isn't very clear.

If you have some answers to the questions the OP posted, don't feel ashamed of sharing them with uninformed people (such as myself).

Exact! The whole gambling policy in Second Life is nothing else then pure b-llshit, and No one at Linden Labs wants to answer any questions about it.
I have over and over and over asked them the same question...

"How can you call a game like Zyngo skill?" and the only answer i get is "we dont comment on a game" etc

The "skill" in for example Zyngo don't mean anything when a devil comes up and takes 50% of your score in round 20. Not to mention the obvious that Zyngo moves in cycles. If the game is in a good mood you win, if not you can play and play and play and you dont get over 40 000.

So yes I agree, this is very controversial because Linden Labs don't follow their own rules. They forbid people to use word like Poker in Search but other gambling are ok. That is just weird

The reason LL does not comment on any of the games is to avoid being held responsible for saying it was OK if later on a judge somewhere says it was not. It is VERY frustrating to us, but it's good business from their point of view.

As far as the policy is concerned, I have a question about it.

As many have pointed out, games of luck are not permitted to give L$ prizes, but what about items. For example, someone could make a game that you pay and get a chance of getting several different prizes in the final outcome, varying from nearly worthless to OMG amazingly exclusive. According to the LL ToS, these items have no real-world value no matter what the item is and what it sells for, right? So even if someone got a really junk prize worth 10% of what they paid, would it still be ToS compliant?

For example, those prize cranes where you pay a small amount and get a "luck of the draw" prize. If some of the prizes in them are freebies (maybe even available from LL), are they still ToS compliant? And what if they have a small chance to give out L$?

As long as those things aren't used for a Pachinko style workaround. Their statement about payout ~and~ randomizer stands. Feel free to have randomizers without payout. (^_^)y

But... if someone AR's the game and nothing is done to remove it, then LL is approving the use of the gambling device in SL and they COULD be held responsible.

Some day the 'approval' of all those slingo/etc games are going to crash down on their heads.