Are play-to-earn games legal? The answer depends on the specifics of the game. For many gaming developers, play-to-earn is a lucrative business model in 2023 and beyond. These games let players compete against other players (PvP) or against the the game itself (PvE) to earn rewards that have real-world value. For example, players may pay…
Tag: real money gaming
Do Play-To-Earn Games Sell Unregistered Securities?
Play-to-earn game developers that sell in-game currency tokens or NFTs to their players may be inadvertently selling unregistered securities. Offering unregistered securities is illegal and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) may prosecute developers and obtain injunctions, civil penalties, and orders to refund all investor funds (disgorgement). Further, the investors themselves can sue developers (including…
The Three Types of Skill-Based Real-Money Games: Room for Innovation, Not Stagnation.
The skill-based real-money gaming market remains a popular and innovative business environment. The draw for players is that they can play games and win real money, but also improve their chances of winning through skill. Unlike gambling or casino-style games, skill-based gaming is not mathematically skewed in favor of “the house.” There are many types…
A Guide to Getting Your Skill-Based Real-Money Game Approved in the United States.
Skill-based real-money gaming has been a popular form of entertainment across the world for hundreds of years. From Roman legionnaires wagering on an early version of backgammon to $5 eight-ball games at your local pool hall, skill games have always attracted players looking for a chance to win real money. With smart phones in every…
The Facts About Real-Money Skill Gaming: Dispelling 5 Common Internet Myths.
Artaev at Law advises companies looking to launch new technologies and tap into the skill-based real-money game market in the United States. In keeping up with the latest legal and regulatory trends, we do a lot of research, and we have seen a lot of misleading and downright false information on the internet. Do not…
Is Playing Video Games for Real Money Legal? It May Depend on the Game.
Skill-based real-money gaming is a growing industry worldwide. Previously, I wrote about the legality of playing casual games like Solitaire and bingo derivatives for real money. But what about console or PC games like FIFA ‘21, NHL ‘21, Madden ‘21, NBA2K21, and PGA2K21? Shooters like Call of Duty, CS:GO, and Fortnite? Strategy card games like…
Fun Facts About the History of the World’s Oldest Hobby: Gambling.
For a change of pace, here is some short and fun reading about everyone’s favorite hobby – gambling. Whenever I do a gambling-related legal project or research, it amazes me how much time and effort has been spent by lawmakers across the United States regulating and restricting gambling in all its forms. And, it is…
Are Skill-Based or Pure-Skill Real Money Games Legal in the United States?
Skill-based, pure-skill, or simply real-money skill games are a hot new trend in the online gaming market. Games offered on mobile platforms like the iPhone and devices running the Android operating system are especially popular. Smartphones are everywhere, and in the United States alone an estimated 222 million people have smartphones, with 45 percent of…