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Singapore gambling law may put MMO lockboxes at risk

A proposed remote gambling bill in Singapore may put MMOs that use lockbox systems, as well as players who purchase lockboxes with real-world money, in danger of being prosecuted or being run out of town.

According to Games in Asia, the law's broad definitions of what consitutes remote gambling may impact freemium and free-to-play MMOs: "This, according to Stamford Law, will 'outlaw the freemium model where monetization is primarily via in-app purchases,' and does not specify from whom the purchases of virtual objects are made. This means that both game developers, who sell in-app purchases, and players, who make these in-app purchases, can be persecuted [sic]."

The bill will come under additional scrutiny this week. If the language isn't changed, then even foreign developers can be charged for advertising or operating an MMO in the country with real money-infused "games of chance."