Public Consultation on Amendments to Laws Governing Gambling Activities (Ends 10 August 2021)
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Potential regulations could affect online games with loot boxes and free online "minigames" for business promotion purposes. The Ministry of Home Affairs explains the need for these amendments in its consultation paper. The ministry also notes that the boundaries between gambling and gaming have become blurred.
Selling and betting using in-game items is sometimes called "skins gambling" or "skin betting". Public Consultation on Amendments to Laws Governing Gambling Activities (Ends 10 August 2021).
Ministry intends to update the laws and regulations to address the issue of trading on third-party exchanges. The proposed regulations mainly target the trading of virtual items on websites. They do not appear to target loot boxes per se. It remains to be seen if the Ministry's proposed changes are sufficient. It is seeking feedback on the matter. Fortnite, one of the most popular online games in the world, announced that certain loot box in its video game would let players see what is inside them before they make the purchase.
For pay-to-play games without in-game monetisation, transferable virtual items should be retained within the context of gameplay and entertainment. Skin-betting sites, which allow players to use virtual things from other games as a form of stake on casino games or match outcomes, will not be allowed.
The Ministry proposes to allow free-to-play online games with in-game monetisation. It also proposes a set of safeguards for free games.
The Ministry is looking for ways to make sure that the regulations are not unintentionally overbroad. The online game of chance cannot involve games such as poker, mahjong, or roulette. It cannot also involve instruments such a dominoes, mohjong tiles, rouchets wheels, playing cards.
