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Second Life under Fire over Casinos
Techtree News Staff, Apr 04, 2007 1811 hrs ISTSecond Life is under FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) scrutiny over the legality of its virtual gambling dens, says a Reuters report.
Second Life is under FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) scrutiny over the legality of its virtual gambling dens, says a Reuters report.
Despite FBI visits to the virtual world's Internet casinos upon invitation by creators - Linden Lab, the US government remains undecided as to whether virtual gambling can be classified as legal or otherwise.
Vice President of Business Affairs, Linden Lab, Ginsu Yoon, confirmed they have invited FBI several times to take a look around Second Life, and raise concerns if warranted.
Linden Lab is seeking guidance on virtual gambling in Second Life, but hasn't received any clear indications from US authorities yet, Yoon suggested.
Meanwhile, both FBI and the US Attorney's Office for Northern California have declined comment in this matter.
A wildly popular virtual world, Second Life sports millions of registered users, its own economy, and its own currency 'Linden Dollars' exchangeable for US Dollars.
It is also home to a thriving gambling economy, with casinos dotting its virtual scape, offering slot machines, poker, blackjack, the works.
The 3 largest poker casinos make around $1,500 per month - in profits, it is estimated.
Most legal eagles worth their salt would say placing bets in Linden Dollars still violates US anti gambling laws.
An attorney at a Florida-based law firm, who specializes in emergent technology, even said that Linden Lab could potentially face criminal charges under the 1970 Illegal Gambling Business Act or the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The latter of the two laws targets credit card companies and other electronic fund transfers which enable Internet gambling.
What is unclear however is the extent of Linden Lab's responsibility, and therefore, the likelihood of any crackdown on Second Life's gambling holes.
All said, Linden Lab maintains, its rules prohibit illegal activity of any kind.
Putting forth his perspective, Yoon said it is not always clear to them whether a 3D simulation of a casino is the same as the real thing - legally speaking, and that this is also not clear to the law enforcement authorities themselves.
Even if law agencies were to get clarity on the issue, it would still be difficult for Linden Lab to monitor or prevent gambling in Second Life, Yoon asserted.
Also Read:
Group Seeks to Liberate Second Life
Despite FBI visits to the virtual world's Internet casinos upon invitation by creators - Linden Lab, the US government remains undecided as to whether virtual gambling can be classified as legal or otherwise.
Vice President of Business Affairs, Linden Lab, Ginsu Yoon, confirmed they have invited FBI several times to take a look around Second Life, and raise concerns if warranted.
Linden Lab is seeking guidance on virtual gambling in Second Life, but hasn't received any clear indications from US authorities yet, Yoon suggested.
Meanwhile, both FBI and the US Attorney's Office for Northern California have declined comment in this matter.
A wildly popular virtual world, Second Life sports millions of registered users, its own economy, and its own currency 'Linden Dollars' exchangeable for US Dollars.
It is also home to a thriving gambling economy, with casinos dotting its virtual scape, offering slot machines, poker, blackjack, the works.
The 3 largest poker casinos make around $1,500 per month - in profits, it is estimated.
Most legal eagles worth their salt would say placing bets in Linden Dollars still violates US anti gambling laws.
An attorney at a Florida-based law firm, who specializes in emergent technology, even said that Linden Lab could potentially face criminal charges under the 1970 Illegal Gambling Business Act or the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The latter of the two laws targets credit card companies and other electronic fund transfers which enable Internet gambling.
What is unclear however is the extent of Linden Lab's responsibility, and therefore, the likelihood of any crackdown on Second Life's gambling holes.
All said, Linden Lab maintains, its rules prohibit illegal activity of any kind.
Putting forth his perspective, Yoon said it is not always clear to them whether a 3D simulation of a casino is the same as the real thing - legally speaking, and that this is also not clear to the law enforcement authorities themselves.
Even if law agencies were to get clarity on the issue, it would still be difficult for Linden Lab to monitor or prevent gambling in Second Life, Yoon asserted.
Also Read:
Group Seeks to Liberate Second Life
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