iGaming Industry
Another regulator says loot boxes are not gambling, now it’s New Zealand
As there still no clear consensus on what lawmakers think, however about loot boxes in New Zealand, the regulator has expressed and official statement.
Loot boxes are not a form of gambling, says a New Zealand government regulator. The latest government statement on the practice aligns with the contentions of the United States’ Entertainment Software Association and publishers of games that use them.
Trish Millward, of the Gambling Compliance office for New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs, told Gamasutra on Monday that loot boxes “do not meet the definition of gambling.”
Loot boxes, through which users acquire in-game items at random, have been heavily criticized for their influence on player progression in Star Wars: Battlefront 2, Call of Duty: WWII and other games, and for the fact users can spend real money to acquire these packs of virtual items. The controversy was hot enough that Battlefront 2 suspended the means of these kinds of sales a day before the game’s full launch last month.
Millward, a licensing compliance manager for New Zealand’s gambling compliance office, told Gamasutra that the department was aware of and monitoring the controversy regarding loot boxes. However, the practice does not fit New Zealand’s definition of gambling, under a 2003 law.
“While the payment of money for a loot box with the contents of which are determined by chance may appear to be gambling,” Millward said, “the Department is of the view that loot boxes do not meet the legal definition of gambling.”
Millward further explained that video game players “do not purchase loot boxes seeking to win money or something that can be converted into money.”
In November, after Hawaii state representative Chris Lee called Battlefront 2 “a Star Wars-themed casino designed to lure kids into spending money,” the Entertainment Software Association responded with a statement that the practice could not be called gambling.
“Loot boxes are a voluntary feature in certain video games that provide players with another way to obtain virtual items that can be used to enhance their in-game experiences,” the ESA said.
Lee and a colleague, Rep. Sean Quinlan, had said that the loot box practice should be examined and regulated under state law to shield minors from gambling. A spokesman for Electronic Arts declined to address that allegation at the time.
Days later, the U.K.’s Gambling Commission weighed in, saying loot boxes don’t fit gambling under existing law, but “the line between video gaming and gambling is becoming increasingly blurred.”
Battlefront 2 is now a month into its launch, still with no microtransactions enabled. They are expected to return but EA has given no timeframe for when. Earlier this month, Battlefront 2’s in-game currency rewards, which also had been criticized for how they slowed player progression, were increased under an ongoing program of changes that EA DICE says it will bring to the game.
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Source: EEGaming.
Alejandro Navarro
Betski Secures $345,000 in Pre-Seed Funding for First-ever Tokenized Casino Ownership Platform
Betski is set to launch its online casino ownership platform in Q1 of 2025, enabling users to earn casino profits through digital tokens. The system will allow anyone to receive a share of casino earnings without managing casino operations, marking a new chapter in the multi-billion-dollar iGaming industry. Supported by a $345,000 pre-seed funding round, the platform aims to democratize access to casino earnings and reshape the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry.
Opening Casino Ownership to Everyone
The platform’s tokenization system reshapes traditional casino business rules through an automatic profit-sharing program. Token holders receive a percentage of every bet placed on the platform.
This system eliminates steep entry costs, such as operational expenses, licensing fees, and administrative management. Users can start earning returns without previous casino experience or large capital investments.
“A small group have exclusively enjoyed casino industry profits until now. Our platform opens these earnings to everyone through our tokenized profit-sharing system, turning users into online casino owners,” said Alejandro Navarro, founder and CEO of Betski.
Direct Profit-Sharing Through Tokens
Through a verified digital system, the ownership program distributes Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) among token holders. Investors have recognized this potential, contributing $345,000 in pre-seed funding that combines gaming entertainment with digital asset ownership. The platform maintains strict security protocols and automated distribution systems for reliable profit sharing.
“The platform distributes real money to token holders from every bet placed by players. This creates a steady income stream for online casino owners – something the traditional casino structure has never offered,” said Navarro.
Global Growth of Online Casino Ownership
The platform has attracted 2400 active Discord members and over 20,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). These early adopters are expected to participate in test runs of the profit-sharing system once it goes live. Over the next 24 months, the platform will roll out first in Latin America, followed by expansion into European and select Asian markets.
Betski offers casino games, live casino experiences, eSports betting, global lotteries, fantasy sports, and traditional sportsbooks. This variety creates multiple revenue streams for online casino owners. Players can access all gaming options through a single interface, which streamlines the betting experience and maximizes potential returns for token holders.
The team has partnered with major payment processors and marketing agencies to support the platform’s global expansion. These collaborations will facilitate smooth transactions and user acquisition across different regions. The platform meets all regulatory requirements in its target markets, certifying long-term stability for token holders.
New Opportunities for Investment
Following the successful pre-seed round, Betski is now opening its seed funding round to welcome additional participants into its casino ownership platform. This investment opportunity enables individuals and entities to join the platform’s growth journey ahead of its official launch in Q1 2025.
eCOGRA, a leading international authority in Testing, Inspection and Certification services for the iGaming industry, has secured new regulatory approvals across three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Indiana and Panama. With these developments, eCOGRA strengthens its position in the U.S. and Latin American markets, offering excellence in compliance through their Quality, Speed, and Service promise.
This strategic expansion allows eCOGRA to conduct independent compliance audits and certification services in each region, addressing the growing demand for rigorous regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving global iGaming industry.
Securing approval in Arizona, where eCOGRA has now been licensed as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier, enables the International Testing Laboratory (ITL) to audit event wagering licensees in line with Arizona’s expanding regulatory landscape. Indiana, which introduced online sports betting in September 2019, has authorised eCOGRA to perform regulatory compliance audits, providing licensed operators with crucial assurance in meeting the state’s high standards.
In Panama, the Board of Gaming Control officially recognised eCOGRA as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification, specifically for slot machines and gaming software. This endorsement reinforces eCOGRA’s role as a trusted partner for operators seeking to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Latin America’s emerging iGaming sector.
“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans. We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets,” said Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.
Bradley Khoury, Chief Technology Officer at eCOGRA, said: “Securing licensure as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier in Arizona and an Authorised Entity in Panama underscores our dedication to supporting responsible and sustainable iGaming operations. We are committed to driving trust and accountability within the industry by providing compliance solutions that uphold the highest standards.”
BetConstruct, a global leader in the iGaming industry, is going to showcase its cutting-edge solutions at the highly anticipated Global Gaming Expo (G2E), taking place from October 7-10.
As the premier event for the global gaming industry, G2E serves as a hub for innovation, driving growth by bringing together industry professionals from around the world to foster business opportunities.
Taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, this all-in-one event features both an education program from October 7-10 and an expansive expo hall running from October 8-10.
BetConstruct’s stand is 5230, where the team will showcase an exciting range of products, including the newly launched the Last Battle, a novel loyalty system that is the byproduct of BetConstruct’s commitment to innovation. The company will also demonstrate its comprehensive Sportsbook and Casino Suite, along with DECA, its next-level decentralised casino platform, and Umbrella, an AI-powered risk management solution. These offerings are designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of operators, ensuring seamless and engaging experiences for players across the regulated market.
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