FBI to Investigate Second Life Gambling

Following the passage of a bill last year that prohibits online gambling, Linden Labs has invited the FBI into Second Life to figure out the propriety of virtual casinos that have popped up there. LL is unclear whether wagering in a virtual casino with virtual money, which can be converted to real money, is illegal under the new legislation.

FBI Investigates 2nd Life Casinos

I do not see why this would be any different than other online gambling. Usually the whole virtual currency things throws bureaucrats for a loop, but people gamble with virtual money all of the time: they're called chips.

Konami Slot Machines Pulled from Casinos

Konami, manufacturer of the slot machines Most Wanted, Sergeant Fritter, Billionaires, and Sticks and Stones, has had its machines pulled in Canada for flashing a winning jackpot across the screen for 1/5 of a second after each spin. Apparently, subliminal messages are a no-no, even though the machines are paying at a normal rate.

Konami Slots Pulled, but not how you think

Having watched people play slots for hours on end, the last thing they need are subliminal messages encouraging them to play even more.

ESA outspends Movie Lobby

The Entertainment Software Association, the video gaming world's most prominent lobbying organization for EA, Activision, and others, spent $2 million in 2005, expecting $2.2 in 2006. The Movie Industry's most prominent lobby, the MPAA, spent only $1.6 million. The ESA was founded in 1994 to kombat offensive video games like Night Trap and Mortal Kombat. Their interests have diversified over the years to now include online gambling and AB1351, a bill that lets the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority issue notes in addition to bonds for purposes relating to its duties, and overtime laws.

The ESA is blowing up!

One particularly interesting portion of the article leads to another article which speaks of the "inevitable" fusion of video games and gambling.

Activision CEO Robert Kotick calls wagering in games the Holy Grail of the business

This is the first I have heard of this idea, though I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before. Some one will offer this service. If they used a player ranking system and only allowed large sums to be wagered after the player proves they win, it could be great not only to play and bet, but also to bet on high stakes games that good players play. If gambling revenues pay the company, they could give the games away. Will people play "free" games?