Many countries all around the globe are having quite the interesting debate these days on what is to be considered gambling inside of video games. The controversy has been going on for a while concerning in-game content such as loot boxes and other items that may cost real currency. Some countries are even going as far as having consequences in real life for in-game gambling activity.
One of the video games, in particular, that is being brought up in all of the ongoing debates is unsurprisingly GTA Online. GTA Online has just launched some rather large content for the game, which includes the Diamond Casino and Resort. The Diamond Casino and Resort opens up a whole new environment for players to carry on in typical GTA fashion with crime, drinking and partying.
The Diamond Casino and Resort is, of course, a casino so there are obviously some gambling games and events for players to take part in. Or at least for some players to take part in. There has been an overwhelming number of players that have come to realize that when they attempt to visit the gambling portions of the game, they do not seem to be available.
Upon further investigation, it turns out that this was no accident or glitch on GTA’s side. The gambling portion of the game has been intentionally cut out for a lot of players. There have been around 50 countries that have actually removed this portion of the game, as it violates their own gambling laws. So, players in those countries will not have access to the gambling aspects of GTA Online.
While in the game, players gamble with fake money. However, that in-game money is purchased with real money so it crosses the line over from fake gambling to actual gambling. The money that players gamble with inside of the game cannot be returned to real currency and only exists within the game after being purchased.
While a lot of countries have removed the gambling feature in GTA Online, the United States remains one of the countries that has not removed the feature. So those who are playing the game in the United States will be able to have full access to the gambling part of the Diamond Casino and Resort. This means that players in the United States will be allowed to purchase the in-game money with real money and gamble away as much as they’d like.
