The Legitimacy of Skill Gaming
The concept of skill-based gaming has a rich history in
legal, social, and commercial contexts. For ages, games of
skill have been a platform for individuals to showcase their
abilities, from traditional board games to prominent sports
events. Nowadays, skill games can be easily accessed on
well-known media sites such as AOL, MSN, and Yahoo.
Additionally, the electronic sports (eSports) industry has
emerged, allowing professional gamers to compete in popular
video games with actual monetary rewards.
Our company is at the forefront of this trend by
facilitating skill-based multiplayer tournaments on mobile
devices, providing gamers with the opportunity to win real
prizes. Unlike games of chance, our games are purely based
on skill, which makes our tournaments legal in most of the
United States.
Are Skill-based Tournaments Considered Gambling?
Tournaments that are based on cash and skill are not
classified as gambling since the definition of gambling
generally includes three key components: (1) the
presentation of a reward, (2) an entrance fee (where
entrants pay to compete), and (3) an outcome that is
dependent on chance. When any of these elements are absent,
a contest that offers tangible prizes is not considered
gambling. In our tournaments, the outcome is not determined
by chance, but rather by the participant's proficiency or
aptitude, making these competitions permissible in most U.S.
states.
What distinguishes skill-based games from chance-based
games?
1. Skill-based games rely on a person's physical or mental
abilities and learning capabilities to achieve a desired
outcome. These games often involve strategy, strength,
technical expertise, physical coordination, or knowledge.
2. Chance-based games are those in which the outcome is
heavily influenced by random chance or uncertainty. Examples
of randomization devices used in these games include dice,
playing cards, or numbered balls drawn from a container.
3. Although some games of chance may involve some level of
skill, and vice versa, most U.S. courts use either the
predominance test or the material element test to assess the
extent to which skill and chance contribute to the outcome
of the game.
Where are real prize competitions available?
The legality of skill-based contests in the United States
varies from state to state, and we have taken great care to
ensure that our offerings fully comply with all relevant
laws. Presently, our real prize competitions are available
in approximately 80% of the world and 45 US states, with the
exceptions being Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware,
Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, Tennessee, and South
Dakota. Furthermore, if playing cards are involved, real
prize gameplay is currently not available in Maine and
Indiana. Our virtual currency tournaments are accessible
worldwide.
What makes our games skill-based?
Our team has created a cutting-edge statistical model that
assesses the level of skill involved in our games. The model
was devised by renowned statisticians and can be applied to
evaluate game outcomes for virtually any game, providing
insight into the role of chance in determining results. Our
model has undergone rigorous validation and has been
reviewed by top legal authorities in the gaming industry.
In addition to our statistical model, we've also developed
an advanced engine that replaces random elements in games,
enhancing the skill-based components of games with a degree
of chance.
What happens if someone logs in from a location where cash
prize gaming is illegal?
In regions where skill-based real-prize gaming is
prohibited, our app enables players to partake in virtual
currency tournaments upon logging in. By utilizing the GPS
feature on a player's smartphone, we are able to verify
their location and determine whether they are eligible to
compete for real cash rewards.
How do you check if your game is a game of skill?
1. Can a player's skill significantly influence the outcome
of the game?
2. Are there no crucial choices that rely
solely
on guesswork?
3. Are the rules clearly defined without predetermined
probabilities of success?
4. Does the game's structure lend itself to favoring skilled
players over unskilled ones?
5. Are chance occurrences minimized to the greatest extent
possible?
Our Compliance
Our games offer a secure, welcoming, and competitive
environment with cash rewards linked to players' performance
across all skill levels. Our company strictly adheres to
both Federal and State regulations, ensuring that the
residency of all account holders is confirmed and that their
eligibility for cash prizes is determined through their IP
address and other location-based services.
All gamers must be at least 18 years old and their device
location settings must be
enabled
to ensure their eligibility.