MMO operators need new licenses in UK - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 9th Jul 2007, 12:59

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/07...censes_in_uk/1

MMO operators in the UK may soon need a new license to avoid breaking new gambling laws that will take effect come September.

Omnituens · 9th Jul 2007, 13:01

the whole thing is just indicative of the UK governments lack of understanding of modern games, as you said.

whisperwolf · 9th Jul 2007, 13:08

If the Operators change the competitions from one of chance to a one of skill (ie ask a question) does the need for a licence still apply? and if so how is it any different to a phone in competition to justify the added licence

Tibby · 9th Jul 2007, 13:53

How are they gonna prevent Children from playing it?
Ask everyone to post in their ID before signing up for an account?

dire_wolf · 9th Jul 2007, 14:37

Seriously, i'm speachless

so stupid . . .

specofdust · 9th Jul 2007, 14:45

It's depressing that my taxes pay the salaries of people this moronic.

Amon · 9th Jul 2007, 14:48

At the mention of Second Life in the article, that reminds me that I should buy some bondage equipment in the game for me and my 'provisional friend'. Call me provincial.

pendragon · 9th Jul 2007, 15:31

hmm.. I thought you need to be winning something of monetary value to be 'gambling'?

edit: ..answered my own question by reading :P

Quote:

...
the new law creates a new single definition for 'Gambling', which includes playing a game of chance for a prize...

The Act defines a "game of chance" as any game which involves elements of both chance and skill, or where superlative skill can eliminate chance. The definition of "prize" includes cash prizes, products and virtual prizes which can be exchanged for money.

completemadness · 9th Jul 2007, 16:45

so it doesn't apply then

Quote:

and virtual prizes which can be exchanged for money.

However, in games like WoW you are not allowed to exchange virtual goods for real money

pendragon · 9th Jul 2007, 17:13

edit: how do i delete my own post on this new board? .. removing all characters doesnt seem to work

dire_wolf · 9th Jul 2007, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by completemadness

However, in games like WoW you are not allowed to exchange virtual goods for real money

Since when does that stop the lazy or people without enough time/patience, I used to play a lot of WoW and you'd be suprised at the amount of people that buy gold, I had a guild mate offer me £20 real cash for some armour set once lol

Lazarus Dark · 9th Jul 2007, 18:23

That's like calling paintball gambling.
Or Live Role Playing Games like D&D.
How about Monopoly? We used to play for candy when I was a kid. I always knew grandma was a bad influence.

stupid.
But I blame all the people who claim their virtual life is no different from their real life. Guess what? The government says "sure! We'll tax you and regulate your virtual life just like the real one! If thats what you really want!" *government laughs all the way to the bank* So the ones who can't distinguish between life and a game brought this on themselves, and the rest have to suffer.

completemadness · 9th Jul 2007, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by dire_wolf

Since when does that stop the lazy or people without enough time/patience, I used to play a lot of WoW and you'd be suprised at the amount of people that buy gold, I had a guild mate offer me £20 real cash for some armour set once lol

but if it explicitly breaks the EULA, how can you tax somone
its like taxing smuggled cigarettes, you just cant do it, its against the law but it still happens

dire_wolf · 9th Jul 2007, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by completemadness

but if it explicitly breaks the EULA, how can you tax somone
its like taxing smuggled cigarettes, you just cant do it, its against the law but it still happens

Very true, i see where you're coming from

proxess · 10th Jul 2007, 09:11

UK and USA MMO gamers should watch out, pseudo taxing is coming your way!

yakyb · 10th Jul 2007, 11:09

ive just watched episode 2 13 of early edition and whilst not entirely along the same lines as this discussion i can see how it relates; government trying to get out of us what they can and us needing to go trough miles of red tape to get anything we want done. We are already taxed on income now they want to tax now they want to tax us on the objects we get i games (which by the way mr brown are not ours but that of blizzard) i cant see this going to pass as any half decent lawyer should be able to stop this.

edit: i dont see how they could possibly tax us on them anyway as the items in games technically hold no monitory (sp?) value anyway.

Canadian_minx · 28th Jul 2007, 16:44

*faceplant*

9th Jul 2007, 12:59	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	MMO operators need new licenses in UK http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/07...censes_in_uk/1 MMO operators in the UK may soon need a new license to avoid breaking new gambling laws that will take effect come September. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

9th Jul 2007, 13:01	#2
Omnituens Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stockport Posts: 408	the whole thing is just indicative of the UK governments lack of understanding of modern games, as you said. __________________ Current Rig: i7 D0 2.66GHz, 6GB 1066MHz Corsair "Dominator", 285 GTX.

9th Jul 2007, 13:08	#3
whisperwolf Ultramodder Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,194	If the Operators change the competitions from one of chance to a one of skill (ie ask a question) does the need for a licence still apply? and if so how is it any different to a phone in competition to justify the added licence __________________ "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it. " Voltaire. My Flickr

9th Jul 2007, 13:53	#4
Tibby Technologic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London / Sheffield Posts: 2,003	How are they gonna prevent Children from playing it? Ask everyone to post in their ID before signing up for an account? __________________ Tiberius - Master Of Pie My Xbox360 Can Talk!

9th Jul 2007, 14:37	#5
dire_wolf Revelation Machine Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: UK Posts: 2,115	Seriously, i'm speachless so stupid . . . __________________ Marching Into History, Marching Into War, Marching Into History To Function As A Whore "Don't Fear Citizens! TAD KNOWS HIS RAID!"

9th Jul 2007, 14:45	#6
specofdust Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aberdeen, UK, EU Posts: 7,614	It's depressing that my taxes pay the salaries of people this moronic. __________________ Like marmite, only no-one hates it Mmm bop!

9th Jul 2007, 14:48	#7
Amon inch-perfect Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: cannoning into the reds, Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,456	At the mention of Second Life in the article, that reminds me that I should buy some bondage equipment in the game for me and my 'provisional friend'. Call me provincial. __________________ Defunct Socket 939 San Diego 4000+::2GB PC3200::Radeon 9600 SE 128MB::200GB HDD::24" Dell 2407WFP-HC::WinXP x64/x86 dual boot Dell Vostro 1500 laptop::Socket P Merom T7100::2GB PC5400::Go 8600m GT 256MB::660GB HDD::15.4" WXGA+, 24" Dell 2407WFP-HC::WinXP::Fanatec 911 Wheel+Pedals

9th Jul 2007, 17:13	#10
pendragon I pickle they Join Date: May 2004 Location: Massachusetts,usa Posts: 631	edit: how do i delete my own post on this new board? .. removing all characters doesnt seem to work

9th Jul 2007, 18:23	#12
Lazarus Dark Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: US Memphis, TN Posts: 292	That's like calling paintball gambling. Or Live Role Playing Games like D&D. How about Monopoly? We used to play for candy when I was a kid. I always knew grandma was a bad influence. stupid. But I blame all the people who claim their virtual life is no different from their real life. Guess what? The government says "sure! We'll tax you and regulate your virtual life just like the real one! If thats what you really want!" government laughs all the way to the bank So the ones who can't distinguish between life and a game brought this on themselves, and the rest have to suffer. __________________ My gun kata is greater than your kung fu.

10th Jul 2007, 09:11	#15
proxess Victim of AdvancedModernCapitalism Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The town of Love, Funchal Posts: 600	UK and USA MMO gamers should watch out, pseudo taxing is coming your way! __________________ Netbook: Asus eeePC 901; 12Gb SDD; Custom Ubuntu 9.04 Minimal Compiz Standalone. Laptop: Intel Centrino Duo T5500 1.66ghz; 2048mb RAM; ATI Mobility Radeon x2300; Hitachi 120gb iPod Classic 120GB; Maxtor 160GB External; Ubuntu 9.10 x64 and Windows 7 x64.

10th Jul 2007, 11:09	#16
yakyb CK is God!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,069	ive just watched episode 2 13 of early edition and whilst not entirely along the same lines as this discussion i can see how it relates; government trying to get out of us what they can and us needing to go trough miles of red tape to get anything we want done. We are already taxed on income now they want to tax now they want to tax us on the objects we get i games (which by the way mr brown are not ours but that of blizzard) i cant see this going to pass as any half decent lawyer should be able to stop this. edit: i dont see how they could possibly tax us on them anyway as the items in games technically hold no monitory (sp?) value anyway. __________________ Gaming Box:: q6600 @3.0 :: 9800gtx :: Abit IP35 :: 4gb :: 1.4TB :: akasa eclipse :: Win7 Development:: PhenomII 955BE @3.2 :: 4200 :: asus M4A785 M Evo :: 1.25TB ::Win7 Media Centre :: q6600 @3.0 :: x1950pro :: asus p35 epu :: 8gb :: 320 GB :: Lc17B :: Win7 server:: I7 860 :: p55 gd65 :: 3450 :: 8 TB :: 8gb :: Rebel 12 :: server 2008 R2

28th Jul 2007, 16:44	#17
Canadian_minx What's a Dremel? Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 16	faceplant __________________ Yes, female gamers DO exist. You just have to leave your house to find us.