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.