The rise in the global popularity of real-money video games and online gambling sites serves notice to developers, platforms, and investors to carefully consider the legal issues and challenges that could accompany the development of related business models. Before embarking on a business venture involving real-money skill-based games or games of chance, stakeholders should understand the legal issues involved.
In real-money skill games, the players of the game pay an entry fee or other consideration for the opportunity to win. Outcomes are the result – at least to a significant degree – of the players' relative abilities, knowledge, and experience. Gambling, on the other hand, is defined with respect to chance – in some US states, there can be no chance; in others, chance cannot be a "material factor;" and in yet others, chance cannot be the "predominant element."
The distinction between skill-based and chance-based games can determine whether playing and hosting them is legal. If poker and blackjack are deemed to contain sufficient skill elements, regulators may decide they aren't really gambling. An attorney experienced in this industry can protect both stakeholders and customers from potential legal issues that may arise in real-money gameplay:
Reasoned Legal Opinion
Under US federal law, banks and payment processors handling funds from real-money games companies are required to obtain a "reasoned legal opinion" that the games offered by such companies do not violate applicable state laws. A reasoned legal opinion evaluates the chance elements in a game and whether it complies with federal law and the laws of each of the states in which the game is offered. An experienced games lawyer should be consulted to prepare the opinion, which will be reviewed carefully by financial institutions and potential business partners.
Dispute Resolution
Real-money gaming sites should create dispute resolution policies that are clear, fair, and effective. These policies should provide for disputes over money, content, and contest outcomes, and should address how each scenario will be dealt with. It is important to ensure disputes are adjudicated promptly and transparently.
An attorney who has worked with gaming, esports, and online gambling clients can help market entrants devise policies to minimize the number of disputes that arise and for dealing with them fairly.
Anti-Money Laundering
As a real-money game platform or developer, it is essential to understand "know-your-customer" (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) requirements and how they may apply to your business. KYC and AML regulations are intended to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and comply with sanctions and restrictions published by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Violation of AML requirements can have serious consequences.
A real-money games company should set up procedures for verifying customer identities, tracking their activities, and reporting any suspicious behavior. This includes monitoring the source of funds used for deposits and withdrawals and maintaining detailed records of all transactions conducted through the platform.
Regulators in every jurisdiction, including the UK, Canada, and Singapore, require operators of these games and platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent counterfeiting, fraud, and money laundering. This usually includes verifying player identities and locations. Nevada, for instance, allows sites to operate online poker only for players physically located in the state or in other jurisdictions – currently Delaware and New Jersey – where online poker is legal.
Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Consumer Protection
Identity theft prevention has become standard for real-money gaming applications. Providing the highest level of consumer protection must be a key pillar of any successful business model, and this is especially true for applications that involve users' personal information. Safe and secure approaches to data storage are required, as is an additional layer of privacy that prevents third-party access without express consent from customers. Whether it's ensuring user anonymity or preventing app hijacking, security measures should be employed by companies looking to foster customer confidence in their services. By taking proactive steps like these, gambling sites can ensure their customers feel safe and secure.
Games should also provide users with assurance that any data they submit is secure in order to gain trust and build a loyal user base. Applications include protocols for managing access permissions, authentication, prevention of unauthorized data manipulations, and verification of user activities for complete end-to-end encryption. Developers should also implement preventative security measures to anticipate threats, reduce risks of compromised data, and provide their users with a secure gaming experience.
Cheating and Fraud
Gangs of criminals have devised multiple ways to game the system and even outright cheat unwitting and helpless players through collusion and tilting the odds. Multi-accounting, chip dumping, gnoming, and other activities designed to help a particular player win multiplayer games or earn bonuses in head-to-head contests flourish on unregulated real-money gaming sites. In addition to KYC best practices, online gambling sites can protect themselves and their players by verifying the identification of all participants and checking them against sanctions and watch lists in multiple jurisdictions. Several methods exist to compile "fraud scores" based on hash analysis, device identification, bot tracking, suspicious behaviors, etc. It is important to track players throughout their gaming sessions – at login, authentication, deposit, withdrawal, and at various other touchpoints.
Advertising, Marketing, and Monetization
Real-money game operators are subject to regulations governing the advertising and marketing of their games. This can include rules on how the games can be advertised, what types of language can be used, and restrictions on promotions that could attract underage users. Advertising an app or game on social media platforms like Facebook may require passing a review process and submitting a legal opinion from qualified counsel as discussed above.
Conclusion
Offering real-money games presents legal challenges that should be carefully considered and addressed before launch. Consultation with an experienced attorney specializing in the games space is essential to ensure compliance with all relevant laws while still protecting yourself from potential risks such as fraud or theft associated with conducting online transactions using real money. An experienced professional who knows the ins and outs of these regulations will be able to provide comprehensive services designed specifically for each client's needs so that their businesses can run smoothly without facing any unexpected roadblocks due to violations of applicable laws or regulations pertaining to the world of real-money gaming. By taking these precautions beforehand, entrepreneurs can build a strong legal foundation and increase their chances of success.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
