Your2ndPlace

On the heels of this post, behold! Linden Lab released an Anti-Gambling Policy Update: FAQ. Maybe they read Your2ndPlace.com. Scary thought.

Of particular interest:

What does “wagering” mean according to this policy?
The term “wagering” applies to any covered game or activity (i.e. game of chance, sports betting) in which a user contributes Linden dollars (or real-world money or things of value), whether into a pot, at a table game, at a house game, for purchase of a card (such as Bingo), or in any way risks Linden dollars based on whether an event may or may not occur, such as whether a team will win a sporting event, or whether Barack Obama will win the Democratic primary.

Is this a blanket ban — i.e., is this simply a ban on simulated casinos or all types of gambling?
The ban applies to all games of chance, wagering, or sports betting, where Linden dollars or their equivalents are collected and paid out. The list of games in the policy are only examples. The policy applies to objects and games whether or not they are in a building that you may call an inworld “casino.”
...

Does this policy apply to “skill contests”?
This policy only applies to wagering games that involve an element of chance. This includes, for instance, any game involving random number generation, simulated dice, cards, poker, lotteries, bingo, or any other “chance” game. Games of pure intellectual or physical skill, such as puzzles or other skill contests, may not fall under this definition.

If your game or contest does not meet the above criteria, it is not restricted under this policy, but other applicable laws and local practice may apply, and you are expected to conduct your activities in Second Life in a legal way.

Please note that this policy does not give you guidance on what your legal obligations are — as noted above, that is your responsibility to determine.

You know, I wish they would just say, "Slingo is ok!" or something like that. I can read this stuff and make sense of it, but it's beginning to look more and more like a Windows EULA. Most people just want the high points - covering those would probably keep the channels clear for real questions.

The entire post is as fun and entertaining as... well, you decide. Go read the whole thing yourself.

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