Linden Labs have clarified in no uncertain terms their stance on gambling in SL – it’s not to occur, full stop.
The actual policy is:
“It is a violation of this policy to wager in games in the Second Life (R) environment operated on Linden Lab servers if such games:
(1) (a) rely on chance or random number generation to determine a winner, OR (b) rely on the outcome of real-life organized sporting events,
AND
(2) provide a payout in
(a) Linden Dollars, OR
(b) any real-world currency or thing of value.
This includes (but is not limited to), for example, Casino Games such as:
o Baccarat
o Blackjack
o Craps
o Faro
o Keno
o Pachinko
o Pai Gow
o Poker
o Roulette
o Sic Bo
o Slot machines
It also includes Sports Books or Sports Betting, including the placing of bets on actual sporting events against a book-maker or through a betting exchange. Linden Lab will actively enforce this policy. If we discover gambling activities that violate the policy, we will remove all related objects from the inworld environment, may suspend or terminate the accounts of residents involved without refund or payment, and may report any relevant details, including user information, to authorities and financial institutions.”
It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes for compliance with the policy to be achieved. When I first joined SL in 2006 I was advised to pick up some free $L by using camping chairs. I still had a casino landmark saved from back then and I tried it this evening and took the pictures contained in this story. As you can see, this casino hasn’t done anything to meet the new policy as yet.
Whether you love or hate gambling in SL, the new policy will remove a cultural aspect of the grid. Maybe some will even miss the sight of rows of zombie-like chair campers:
Will you miss the casinos in SL?
Hi Sean,
I think you’re right. I’m just doubtful you’ll see camping chairs once the slot machines are removed.
I don’t know Lowell, without avatars sitting there at the games, camping chairs could become a bigger commodity than ever at malls and clubs that previously shared space with casinos. Personally I think the LL traffic counting methods need to change in a way that would nullify the point of camping chairs (thus reducing the load on resources), but that’s another topic for another day.
Honestly, despite all of the grumbling I am hearing, I am surpised that folks don’t realise LL is doing us a favor and protecting us from a federal government that would seek to get a slice of the pie. Would folks be happier having to enforce taxation on their customers, as well as paying an income tax on their Linden earnings? Seriously, it’s the Feds here who are the boogyman, LL is just trying to avoid the headache and mess that goes along with that. It’s a shame LL didn’t headquarter overseas – I’m sorry for all of the international and tribal folks who have to suffer losses because LL happens to be in California.
Hi Sean,
I think you’re right. I’m just doubtful you’ll see camping chairs once the slot machines are removed.
Linden Lab need to clarify this, but from my reading I’d say that camping chairs are exempt as there is no wagering going on. You have to put money in for it to be classified as wagering.
Linden Lab need to clarify this, but from my reading I’d say that camping chairs are exempt as there is no wagering going on. You have to put money in for it to be classified as wagering.
I don’t know Lowell, without avatars sitting there at the games, camping chairs could become a bigger commodity than ever at malls and clubs that previously shared space with casinos. Personally I think the LL traffic counting methods need to change in a way that would nullify the point of camping chairs (thus reducing the load on resources), but that’s another topic for another day.
Honestly, despite all of the grumbling I am hearing, I am surpised that folks don’t realise LL is doing us a favor and protecting us from a federal government that would seek to get a slice of the pie. Would folks be happier having to enforce taxation on their customers, as well as paying an income tax on their Linden earnings? Seriously, it’s the Feds here who are the boogyman, LL is just trying to avoid the headache and mess that goes along with that. It’s a shame LL didn’t headquarter overseas – I’m sorry for all of the international and tribal folks who have to suffer losses because LL happens to be in California.
Reply to #1:
Camping chairs are fine. The slot machine activated ones, as pictured above, are not. You have to play the slot machine first before you can earn on those chairs (usually)
I will not miss gambling and have not taken part in any of the casinos, however I have many RL (Real Life) friends/educators in SL that do and they will miss it a great deal. I think you are correct that this is a big part of the SL culture. Maybe they can create a redlight island just for gambling. 🙂 lol
SL/ Dembe Wellman
Reply to #1:
Camping chairs are fine. The slot machine activated ones, as pictured above, are not. You have to play the slot machine first before you can earn on those chairs (usually)
I will not miss gambling and have not taken part in any of the casinos, however I have many RL (Real Life) friends/educators in SL that do and they will miss it a great deal. I think you are correct that this is a big part of the SL culture. Maybe they can create a redlight island just for gambling. 🙂 lol
SL/ Dembe Wellman
The best thing to happen, maybe now SL residents will get out and explore.
If people miss the gambling element of SL, well go into the real world and give your real money to community clubs
The best thing to happen, maybe now SL residents will get out and explore.
If people miss the gambling element of SL, well go into the real world and give your real money to community clubs
Just wondering how far this will reach!
Table games where players Vs player for a Pot
– Texas Holdem Poker?
– Greedy Greedy?
– TechWars?
….. Slingo? & Sloders?
Just wondering how far this will reach!
Table games where players Vs player for a Pot
– Texas Holdem Poker?
– Greedy Greedy?
– TechWars?
….. Slingo? & Sloders?