Gaming vs gambling

When do you call something gaming, and when is it gambling? The line is becoming increasingly blurred. In this article, we explain to you what the differences are and what to look out for.

The separation between gaming and gambling

In legislation, gambling and gaming are kept separate. The distinction made is that in gambling the element of chance is central, while in games skill plays the biggest role. You can read more about this at the “What is Gambling?” page.

Online, this separation is less present. It seems increasingly difficult to tell gaming and gambling apart. Some games are very similar to gambling games. Free games contain gambling elements that allow you to win additional items for your game, or they are developed so that you can only enjoy the full game when you pay. Increasingly, games are also asking you to pay a small amount so that you can progress faster in the game.

Most young people know that gambling games make money from the provider. A casino makes money on you as a player. Of games, people know this less well. Playing Social Casino and Fantasy Sports, for example, can entice players to gamble for real. The step is small. Loot boxes have gained an important role in games, it has become normalized. As a result, young people are more quickly exposed to gambling. So it is important for gamers to be aware of this. Parents also play an important role, especially with underage children.

Games with gambling elements

Online card games

(Online) card games where you buy or win cards. With those cards you then play against other players. Some popular games are Magic the Gathering or Heartstone. There is an agility part in these games, where you think strategically about the moves. But there is also a gambling element in them; you buy a set of cards, but you never know what cards are in them. Sometimes there is a valuable card among them. Because you never know for sure how many valuable cards are in a set, you are taking a gamble.

Social casino games

Social casino games are casino-like games where it is not about money but about virtual points. You can play games like Roulette, Poker and a slot machine. Playing is free, you don't win any money. So you can play these games from the age of 12. This way young people can easily get in touch with gambling. The transition to the real casino is therefore quickly made.

Virtual items of value

There are online casinos where you do not have to wager real money, but items you have earned or purchased in games. Skins, weapons or other items of value. Some items are very rare and thus highly sought after. They are therefore worth money. Sometimes thousands of euros! You can wager these items on gambling games.

Fantasy Sports

This came over from America and is becoming increasingly popular. You play in an invented league, the results are based on real results of the players and teams, for example from a foodball league. With a number of players, you choose your own team. Fantasy Sports are free to play and you can't win anything here in Europe. However, you often see ads on those websites that lead to real gambling websites. It can also tempt you to bet on sports games, as it looks very similar.

Loot boxes

Games are not covered by gambling law, but there are many games that do use some element of gambling: Loot boxes. As a player, you are given a treasure box. This contains an item to make your game more fun or easier. As a player, you have no control over these boxes. It can be an item of small value, but chances are that it is something very rare and thus of great value. Opening a loot box resembles a slot machine, the visual aspects are made to make it extra exciting. Sometimes it looks like you almost win something. So this is very much like gambling.

Control of loot boxes

The gambling authority investigated Loot boxes in 2018. 4 out of 10 Loot boxes in popular games violate the law on gambling. This is because the prize you get is determined by chance. But also because the prizes to be won have economic values. Thus, they can be traded for real money. Fines can be handed out to games that are too similar to games of chance.