The mobile gaming market is becoming increasingly popular, and even gambling developers are seeing the value in getting involved in the industry. While mobile games, most of which are free to download, prevent virtually no risks to players, safe gambling advocate Senator Nick Xenophon sees the need for regulation, in order to protect players.

The name Nick Xenophon may sound familiar in the gambling market, as he is a key supporter of gambling reform and responsible gambling in Australia. His political platform has always been anti-gambling and anti-pokies and he has called for better regulation of the local gambling market. Now, he has turned his attention to the digital gaming market, fighting for better security to protect mobile gamers.

Xenophon’s issue with free mobile games is the additional content that they offer. Many free games offer extra perks that must be bought. In some cases, players can purchase additional digital currency while other games offer the option to purchase key items. While it seems harmless to offer additional content at a low price, parents are discovering that their children are racking up expensive mobile bills.

It seems that the content is too readily available, which is what Xenophon would like to rectify. "We need to have a revamp of Australian consumer laws so that these sorts of purchases will be covered by it," Xenophon says. He wants to ensure that parents are protected from the potential of having their mobile bills boosted by gaming purchases that they did not authorize.

One solution, he suggests, is using a two-tier password system so that children cannot make purchases through their parents’ iTunes accounts. He has also suggested that devices come equipped with restrictions already activated; then, if users want to make in-game purchases, they can opt in. This situation marks a transition into the mobile and digital gaming worlds.

While many politicians in Australia are still dealing with the issue of pokie reform, Nick Xenophon is focused on digital gaming regulation. It is the beginning of a shift towards a digitally-dominated gaming market, and Xenophon is certainly thinking ahead.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.