Regulation of the online betting and gaming market

The gaming industry is bringing more and more games onto the market every year that impress players worldwide. But it’s no longer just PC or console titles that are addictive for a whole generation.

Mobile gaming and micro-transfers are letting young people in Germany invest more and more time and above all, money. Just a few days ago, the young talent Miles “Mulz” Skorpen took the floor. He had bought coins for the FIFA Ultimate Team from a third party and was therefore banned by EA SPORTS. The latter apologized and stated that he had already invested more than 5,000 US dollars for his squad. Even though the 16-year-old could be an upcoming star in FIFA heaven, this story shows how much pressure and desire there is to spend money virtually.

According to health insurance companies, there are many gambling addicts in Germany. The figure is expected to be around 500,000. However, the number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher. The mobile gaming sector, in particular, can only be monitored to a limited extent, and almost everyone has a smartphone in their pocket today. Especially tempting in this area is the “free” games of the Free2play model. For the most part, they pursue the concept of implementing catchy game mechanics and quickly integrating the player into a “strudel of action”.

After a short time, however, progress is only possible with real money, or the game becomes unbearably tough. In Germany alone, the Free2play model generates more than half a billion euros in sales per year. This means that this game model accounts for 97 per cent of the revenues in the Appstore. Possible payment options range from a few cents to more than 100 euros. Also, real money is used to buy virtual things that are often generated randomly. Thus the player does not necessarily get what he expected for the money or what helps him in the game.

Therefore it is more and more important to write the protection of minors in capital letters. After years of dispute, the federal states have now recognized this and are implementing their plans to regulate the betting and gambling market. First steps are, for example, the evaluation of play halls. Thus no more may settle in the closer surrounding field of a school or must close, if available. But also the offerers of sports bets and online Casinos will have to act in the future after exact rules, to be allowed to offer their services in Germany.

Personal responsibility and clear communication

Children and young people must be protected from such practices. The first bans on such practices are in place in Belgium. Other countries are also examining the legal application of such measures. Nevertheless, online casinos are a daily part of leisure activities for many adults.