Just yesterday Reuters published that Linden Lab called the FBI to check if everything is OK with in-world gambling:
"We have invited the FBI several times to take a look around in Second Life and raise any concerns they would like, and we know of at least one instance that Federal agents did look around in a virtual casino," said Ginsu Yoon, until recently Linden Lab's general counsel and currently vice president for business affairs. "We have specifically requested that a US Attorney give us guidance on virtual gaming activity in SL, but this hasn't resulted in clear rules yet."
Why would anybody call the feds to its own party? It seems like Linden Lab is pushing their luck. But they are pushing things forward. I am in no way an expert on U.S. law but it seems they want to see the official status of L$.
Most lawyers agree that placing bets with Linden dollars violates U.S. anti-gambling statutes, which require that "something of value" be wagered.
Question is whether the Linden dollar is "something of value" in the eyes of the law.
Status of micro-currencies is to be defined sooner or latter. From LL's perspective, it is wise to draw the first move. That leaves them with possibility to choose if they call the FBI or IRS or somebody else to make the preliminary decision and also a possibility to call them at the moment they feel ready. Maybe Linden Lab is gambling this way, but what else is to be done?
It is in no way a safe bet. It is just taking an initiative, and it is a wise move to do such an early call. It usually gives the player a few extra chances. It is obvious that nobody in establishment doesn't have an idea what to do with virtual worlds, their economies and everything that is happening inside them form gambling via age-play sex to virtual drugs. There is not enough experience so maybe that situation can give Linden Lab a good starting position.
This is in no way just a Linden's fight. It will affect other MMOG's and other virtual worlds as well. It is that LL is first on the strike and that they will be first in the rush to make the status of their micro-currency clean. And it is that if LL wins this battle they will be heroes of the metaverse. It is not to forget that there are some other worlds that runs just couple of steps behind. With that in mind, Lindens are not gambling just with authorities they are playing the same game with competitors. There is a saying that luck goes with the brave ones.
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