The DCMS report sets out a


road map of recommendations and how policy gaps in Great


Britain could be closed, with a clear call for skins gambling to be given recognition as a specific type of gambling. This would need careful drafting so it would not impact on non- gambling types of in game rewards.


become articles of money or money's worth. Where facilities for gambling are offered using such items, a licence is required…” Te Gambling Commission has investigated numerous unlicensed websites that used in game items for payment, and it has expressed concern about the harm experienced by children.


Te DCMS report makes a clear call to game developers and publishers to take accountability and to have a proactive approach to mitigate harm from skins gambling. Some suggestions in the report are:


u


Embedding age-based safeguards into skin trading systems such as requiring age verification before being able to access gambling type features:


u


Avoiding the creation of skins with APIs that enable illegal gambling and instead ensuring that the items are kept within “…a controlled in-game economy…”. Te use of open APIs was flagged as an enabler of skins gambling and that developers need to look to restrict or monitor third party access to inventories.


u


Collaboration with regulators and researchers to establish best practices for digital item design.


Te report also makes several policy recommendations also, such as:


u


National awareness campaigns targeting parents and young people to be launched by the UK government.


u


Te requirement for skins gambling operators to obtain licences which in turn would make them subject to age verification require- ments, and specific conditions that would include responsible gambling practices.


u


Educators and youth services to include skins gambling within edu- cational literature.


Within the selection summary of the report, it is acknowledged that the international approach to skins gambling is inconsistent with many jurisdictions lacking any form of regulation. Te report highlights some exceptions:


u Australia undertook a parliamentary enquiry. u


u


Denmark applying a functional definition of gambling and using web crawlers to block unauthorised sites.


Sweden has taken enforcement action against unlicensed skins betting sites


u


France has confirmed a need to protect children from gambling style mechanics in games.


Other countries such as Finland, Norway and Poland have had broader discussions in respect of loot boxes for example but without any legislative changes. Tis leaves much of the skins gambling that occurs sat in the grey market. But this issue is not going to quietly disappear. With a call from the DCMS for legislative reform to mitigate harms to game players, it is a matter of watch this space for what may come next from the UK Government.


Te report acknowledges that “…although regulatory frameworks ought to have consumer protection as its focus, it should be acknowledged that the gambling industry is continuing evolving and that regulatory measures should not stifle innovation and creativity.”


Te DCMS report sets out a road map of recommendations and how policy gaps in Great Britain could be closed, with a clear call for skins gambling to be given recognition as a specific type of gambling. Tis would need careful drafting so it would not impact on non-gambling types of in game rewards.


Te games design industry needs to consider how it will proactively engage with those driving policy to avoid unintended consequences that could impact on creative gameplay.


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