A VIRTUAL poker-machine game that children and teenagers can easily access was the highest-grossing phone and tablet app in Australia, prompting outrage from gambling critics and the established pokies industry.
The continued growth of virtual gambling apps has also moved Senator Nick Xenophon to push for laws re-classifying the games as gambling when Federal Parliament resumes.
Slotomania, owned and operated by Playtika, a subsidiary of casino company Caesars Entertainment Corporation, was 2012’s highest-grossing app at the iTunes store in Australia. Two other ”slots” games were also in the top 20.
The free game, which is also available on Facebook, simulates pokies, but when all credits have been used players must either wait a length of time or buy more credits – with real money – to continue to play.
However, credits and winnings cannot be converted to real money, something the game’s terms and conditions state clearly.
Under interactive gaming laws since 2001 – a review last year is still being considered by the Commonwealth – the game is not viewed as gambling because people cannot win money.
There have been several public and private complaints about gambling-style games over the past two years, and the government says such games are being considered as part of the interactive gambling review.
Playtika’s terms say the game is intended for people who are aged over 21, but if players are between 13 and 18 they should get parental consent before playing.
Experts as well as gambling critics, including Senator Xenophon, World Vision chief Tim Costello and the Greens’ Richard Di Natale, are worried the apps put young people at future risk by normalising gambling.
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