UK Gambling Commission says children as young as 11 are getting into skin gambling

[macknade]

There's been a new in depth look at skin gambling in the UK. 

Quote

The report states that, "based on the description provided within the questionnaire," 45 percent of children aged 11-16 knew about skin gambling, and 11 percent said they had placed bets with in-game items at some point in the past. 

 

http://www.pcgamer.com/uk-gambling-commission-says-children-as-young-as-11-are-getting-into-skin-gambling/?utm_content=buffer9a90f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=buffer_pcgamerfb

 

Hopefully something will start to be done about this. Steam surely needs to step up (they use age verification for buying games?).

[Tcrumpen]

5 minutes ago, macknade said:

There's been a new in depth look at skin gambling in the UK. 

 

http://www.pcgamer.com/uk-gambling-commission-says-children-as-young-as-11-are-getting-into-skin-gambling/?utm_content=buffer9a90f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=buffer_pcgamerfb

 

Hopefully something will start to be done about this. Steam surely needs to step up (they use age verification for buying games?).

Not sure if it's bad parenting or not because chances are that it's not their own money they are spending

[Tz000]

4 minutes ago, macknade said:

There's been a new in depth look at skin gambling in the UK. 

 

http://www.pcgamer.com/uk-gambling-commission-says-children-as-young-as-11-are-getting-into-skin-gambling/?utm_content=buffer9a90f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=buffer_pcgamerfb

 

Hopefully something will start to be done about this. Steam surely needs to step up (they use age verification for buying games?).

Well most of the games that have skin gambling associated with them are FPS shooters such as CSGO which are probably rated 18+ so really the parents should pay more attention to what their kids are doing on the computer instead of using it as a babysitter because their to lazy to parent there kid...  So yes I do agree steam or whatever platform being used should have a better form of verifying the user but in the end I would say the fault lies with the parents letting there kid have access to a game that allows this. 

[Tcrumpen]

1 minute ago, Tz000 said:

Well most of the games that have skin gambling associated with them are FPS shooters such as CSGO which are probably rated 18+ so really the parents should pay more attention to what their kids are doing on the computer instead of using it as a babysitter because their to lazy to parent there kid...  So yes I do agree steam or whatever platform being used should have a better form of verifying the user but in the end I would say the fault lies with the parents letting there kid have access to a game that allows this. 

Technically actually you shouldn't even install Steam unless you're 13 it actually asks you if you're over 13

[Tz000]

Just now, Tcrumpen said:

Technically actually you shouldn't even install Steam unless you're 13 it actually asks you if you're over 13

Exactly, I think a lot of parents are not tech savvy and have no idea what there children are doing on the computer, tablet, phones etc.  I do believe its important to teach the newest generation about technology and how to use it but so many times I have seen children just screaming on planes, public places etc about wanting a cell phone or something with a screen to stare at its honestly pathetic if your child does this you need to take away all electronic devices or seriously limit it.

[Tcrumpen]

14 minutes ago, Tz000 said:

Exactly, I think a lot of parents are not tech savvy and have no idea what there children are doing on the computer, tablet, phones etc.  I do believe its important to teach the newest generation about technology and how to use it but so many times I have seen children just screaming on planes, public places etc about wanting a cell phone or something with a screen to stare at its honestly pathetic if your child does this you need to take away all electronic devices or seriously limit it.

Exactly; i never thought i could use "Back in my day" so early in my life but the most advanced thing we had was GameBoys. I put it down to lazy parenting; parents who ideally should have really had kids to begin with if they were just gonna "cheat" the upbringing

[Trixanity]

That is one interesting headline if you're uninitiated.

 

I'd like to see that in the papers and watch the elderly rant about kids selling their skin.

[Rupe]

I think the biggest reason why it's dangerous is that you can get some cheap skins for just playing the game and not spending a penny. This can then act as a gateway where suddenly the kid decides they quite liked gambling their meagre inventory. Perhaps they ask their parents for steam gift cards for birthdays/christmas so they can continue to gamble skins. This addiction can eventiually lead to more sinisters outcomes such as kids taking their parents credit cards.

But the point is to get started not a penny needs to be spent, and their is a culture inside of CSGO when you hear people talk almost like its a status symbol to have a really good inventory of skins which for young kids can be a serious draw

[kilgore_T]

1 hour ago, Tz000 said:

Well most of the games that have skin gambling associated with them are FPS shooters such as CSGO which are probably rated 18+ so really the parents should pay more attention to what their kids are doing on the computer instead of using it as a babysitter because their to lazy to parent there kid...  So yes I do agree steam or whatever platform being used should have a better form of verifying the user but in the end I would say the fault lies with the parents letting there kid have access to a game that allows this. 

in the uk supplying a child with an 18 rated game is illegal, parents would be breaking the law

[Doobeedoo]

It's such a brainwashand sheep feed on it. 

[Tcrumpen]

3 minutes ago, kilgore_T said:

in the uk supplying a child with an 18 rated game is illegal, parents would be breaking the law

Despite everyone kind of doing it; not saying it's a get out of jail free card but the Police just don't have the time or resources to police it

[kilgore_T]

12 minutes ago, Tcrumpen said:

Despite everyone kind of doing it; not saying it's a get out of jail free card but the Police just don't have the time or resources to police it

maybe im weird but I think exposing a child to violence as entertainment seems way worse than gambling

[Rupe]

2 hours ago, kilgore_T said:

maybe im weird but I think exposing a child to violence as entertainment seems way worse than gambling

It's exposing a child to virtual violence, so there is a distinction to be made, and if these games are introducing these children to gambling and this could seriously develop into an addiction when their older then I think the risk of damaging the child is greater from gambling (in-fact I don't really think it's particularly bad for children to see violence in video games) although it's only anecdotal myself and my friends have all come out as well adjusted people and we played many violent video games when younger. I think people are good at distinguishing real violence to virtual violence. If I see a video of real life violence I have a distinctly different emotional reaction than when I shoot someone in a game.

[Tcrumpen]

1 hour ago, kilgore_T said:

maybe im weird but I think exposing a child to violence as entertainment seems way worse than gambling

This comes down to that whole "do videos games encourage violence" debate ...

[kilgore_T]

its not that it may or may not encourage violence,

its about sickening a childs mind, desensitising them

I wouldn't let a child watch pornography

or play a rape game

nor would I let them play violent video games where the entertaining factor is murder

but like I said maybe im weird

[Eduard the weeb]

Yeah I have sold my skins for better skins and used a yutubers code on some site to win a Hypebeast Nova ( I had made it like 99 percent odds I would get the Nova ), Is that considered gambling to them ?

[Ryujin2003]

4 hours ago, Tcrumpen said:

Not sure if it's bad parenting or not because chances are that it's not their own money they are spending

Most parents aren't aware.. they are oblivious. Some kids also get online currency. I have my kid a PSN gift card so he could choose which skins and expansions he wanted in Minecraft. His account IS NOT online, so I make the purchase through my main account. His account is limited and local. So her gets it after I make the purchase. But when the gift card is it, it's gone. He's been holding onto that last 10.13 like his life depends on it. Teaching financial responsibility for beyond physical currency.  But, with that said, I'm an involved parent, and will not let him spend his own money on loot crates and such; however, he doesn't play games with that, except for War Robots on mobile.

 

 

I just did an online video about gambling in children's videogames for my school too... I find that most parents are not aware.

[PlayStation 2]

I'll link my post from another thread about this.

 

[Matu20]

Gambling is not bad, as long as risks are weighed and you are ready to lose what you put in.

[Xander Cousins]

@Matu20, That would be correct but Children don't exactly know this.

 

My view on this all is Loot boxes and Micro transactions among games along with in-Game item gambling is all very debatable in who's to blame. From my view it has to be the parents for any child that is playing the game under aged. I Myself was annoyed hearing the Gambling thing for Loot boxes got passed as to me I saw this being thrown around due to lazy parents not wanting to watch their child, checking the bank account at the end of the month to see money disappearing into a game they didn't know about. 

 

Valve doesn't have an age verification system for purchasing games sadly they do have one for accessing the page of one but is easy to lie to. (I Do it myself even though I'm legal age for it).

 

If parents wanted to know what their Kid was doing use the Steam Mobile app as verification because everything and I mean EVERYTHING Goes through that app that isn't a game purchase (dunno about game purchases as I haven't bought one since the app got introduced). But things that are Buying skins, trading skins, purchasing currency for a game etc all get processed by Steam if on their platform as it will use the credit card you have on your account or money in your account. 

 

In Short I see up kicks like this punishment to the ones who want it and know what they are doing just because some parents don't wanna play with their child or keep an eye on them. 

[Trik'Stari]

And here I just want E-Sports to die off because I don't like them.

[Xander Cousins]

1 minute ago, Trik'Stari said:

And here I just want E-Sports to die off because I don't like them.

Easy fix, Don't watch them  

[Trik'Stari]

5 minutes ago, Alex Colson said:

Easy fix, Don't watch them  

I don't.

 

I feel this would go a long way to assisting them in dying off. I think they're too easy for companies to make money with, and as a result other forms of video games suffer as a result. Games seem to no longer focus on compelling stories or fun game play.

 

No, now the focus is marketing like crazy, and multiplayer with micro-transactions.

[Xander Cousins]

4 minutes ago, Trik'Stari said:

I don't.

 

I feel this would go a long way to assisting them in dying off. I think they're too easy for companies to make money with, and as a result other forms of video games suffer as a result. Games seem to no longer focus on compelling stories or fun game play.

 

No, now the focus is marketing like crazy, and multiplayer with micro-transactions.

Thing is with what happened with the loot boxes things will be changing like look how hard EA got hit (TBH to them I may not seem that much as it is only loss in shares) But they hopefully will wise up and tbh some games do focus on some great story lines.

 

COD, CS:GO, Halo, LOL etc, they all had E-Sports before it came really popular with companies trying to make money off them.

 

The main reason we don't have great story lines and fun game play is because atm Gaming seems to be "IN" as a lot of game companies are making games based on their short term players (casuals) rather than their hardcore players. Destiny 2 is a great example as their was no End Game nor was their a reason for the Hardcore players to grind the Raid as you could just let a clan mate do it and you can just reap the rewards without setting foot in the raid area.  All because they made the game too casual. Looting is way too easy, You don't have heroic version of strikes (Vanilla not DLC) you weapons are static roles and their is no reason to replay the campaign unless really wanting those 3 guardians at 325 light 

[Matu20]

6 hours ago, Trik'Stari said:

And here I just want E-Sports to die off because I don't like them.

But you realize that a lot of people do, right?