Mobile and social gaming are the two biggest trends in the online gambling world. While these two format presents players with the valuable opportunity to experience their favourite casino games in new ways, they also pose a risk for underage gamblers. Last year, Australia’s #1 best-selling gambling application was Slotomania, a ‘pokies simulation’ game.

Operated by Playtika, the application gives players the opportunity to spin the reels for play-money prizes. Should players lose their balances, they can purchase more credits or wait 24 hours for more play money to be added to their accounts. There is no age restriction on the game, so players of all ages can take part.

Slotomania’s terms and conditions state that the application is only recommended for players over the age of 21 while players younger than 18 must obtain parental consent. However, there are no security features to prevent underage individuals from access the title. According to Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act, Slotomania is not considered a gambling activity because players cannot win any money.

However, there is still the risk that young players’ access to the game may encourage them to develop unhealthy gaming habits later on in life. According to recent research, exposure to gambling is all some children need in order to develop compulsive habits. The danger is also heightened by the fact that there is no security in place to restrict underage players from using their parents credit cards to purchase additional ‘play money’.

''The possibility that young people can gain access to parental or other credit cards or payment systems extends the risk of harm significantly,'' says Dr. Charles Livingstone, a professor at Monash University. To deal with this sensitive issue, local politicians aim to close the loophole that allows play-money pokie applications to escape the classification of ‘gambling’ activities.

As Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act is reviewed, politicians like Senator Nick Xenophon will fight to protect underage players from accessing social and mobile casino games.

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.