Legal Officer of the Danish Gambling Authority, Maria Skovlund Kronborg, talks about the need to study videogames and reveals an increase in betting on eSports.
Copenhagen - That narrow line between gaming and gambling, which is becoming increasingly blurred, in the world of videogames. All because of the so-called "
Loot-boxes", which it is no coincidence that they become the subject of study for regulators governing the gambling market in the world. The theme, as we know, has been deepened in recent days at the
International Iagr Conference(which closes its Thursday, September, the 20th), comparing the regulators of the main markets of the world. Also on the subject of videogames. Wondering if it is a matter they should deal with, or not. And the Danish Gambling Authority, who hosted the 2018 edition of the Iagr Conference, also wonder it, as
Maria Skovlund Kronborg, Legal Officer at the Danish Gambling Authority, explains to Gioconews.it. "Loot-boxes is a subject we are very interested in, because as regulators of the gambling sector, we are examining whether it is up to us to intervene, or not. And, seeing the feedback that the panel organized in the Conference had, we are not the only ones who are asking for it", she explains. "The real question that must be answered, however, is whether or not it is gambling: in fact, first of all it is necessary to arrive at a definition of this matter and if it is considered a risk, then it will be up to the regulators to intervene". It is no coincidence, in fact, that a large group of regulators (16: Lithuania, Czech Republic, Isle of Man, France, Spain, Malta, New Jersey, Gibraltar, Ireland, Portugal, Norway, Holland, United Kingdom, Poland , Austria and the State of Washington) signed a declaration asking to intervene in this matter. Even if the Danish regulator is not between the parties that have signed the declaration, at least for now. "However, beyond the loot-boxes, we are watching very closely the connection between gaming and gambling world, as there is today an increasingly narrow dividing line, which often is even outdated. And we need to intervene here, through a clear definition. Maybe these mechanisms represent forms of gambling in all the games, based on how the prizes or bonuses are offered, but for this reason it is necessary to study the subject". The Danish Gambling Authority, in fact, have started to study and investigate all gaming types directly or indirectly dealing with gambling industry. Perhaps for this reason, last year bets on the world sports pinball started (never happened before), during the World Pinball Championship in Copenhagen. And the same happened with bets on eSports that, apparently, seems to be a big success in Denmark. According to the Danish Gambling Authority. "Today the main segment preferred by Danish bettors is football, while in second place there are other sports, according to the season. Bets on eSports have been offered for some time in Denmark.”