Mobile casinos and IGEA
IGEA vs mobile

IGEA asks Government to take down billboards advertising mobile casino gambling

Australia’s Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) is enraged over billboards advertising iPad gambling and bearing the message: “Gambling starts with games”.

A public service campaign meant to warn parents about the link between social gaming and real-money gambling has been recently launched. The controversial ad shows a young girl with an iPad, sitting at a green-felt table with cards and chips on it.

Parents are encouraged to enter the “Gambling is no Game” website, where they’re told that 3 year-olds are already learning how to use mobile devices to go online and play games where they “practice” mobile casino gambling. There are also warnings about the “blurred line” between social games and gambling apps that use real money.

While admitting that there is no actual research showing that “engaging in simulated gambling” might get children hooked on mobile casinos, the website does refer to “evidence of a link between exposure of some children to simulated gambling and the development of problem gambling in adulthood”. As a measure of precaution, parents are encouraged not to share their credit card details with their kids.

Furthermore, the website suggests that social games are meant to “attract children with a catchy tune and cartoon-like animations”. The argument seems to have no basis, though, as statistics clearly show that simulated gambling games are played mostly by 50 to 59 year-olds.

IGEA CEO Ron Curry asked that the billboard be taken down by December 20th, because of its “inaccurate and unsubstantiated” message. Whether the Government chooses to honor IGEA’s demand is yet to be seen.