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Apple Says Simulated Gambling Apps Will Be Rated 17+ in All Countries Starting Today

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In an email to developers today, received by MacRumors, Apple has announced that apps marked as having "Frequent/Intense Simulated Gambling" will be rated 17+ in all countries and regions starting today.

simulated-gambling-app.jpg

Gambling apps meeting certain related criteria will also be newly available to users in South Korea, but only to users 19 years of age or older.

Apple's full email:
Dear Developer,

In an effort to open up additional opportunities for developers, we've worked with the government of the Republic of Korea on making more apps available on the App Store in the Republic of Korea. And to ensure that our global age rating system continues to help make the App Store safe for kids, apps that feature Frequent/Intense Simulated Gambling will be rated 17+ in all countries and regions starting August 20, 2019.

If your app meets at least one of the criteria below, you'll be able to offer it on the App Store in the Republic of Korea to users 19 years of age or older. You'll need to enter a Rating Classification Number from the Game Rating and Administration Committee in App Store Connect, and can do so starting August 20. Apps with a number entered at this time will be published later this week. If you don't have a Rating Classification Number, you can apply for one now.

- Apps in the Casino subcategory with age rating 17+
- Apps in the Games or Entertainment categories with Frequent/Intense selected for at least one of the following content descriptions:
-- Simulated Gambling
-- Sexual Content or Nudity
-- Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or Reference
-- Realistic Violence
To enter your Rating Classification Number:

1. Sign in to App Store Connect.
2. In the App Information section under Availability in the Republic of Korea, enter your Rating Classification Number.
3. Submit your app for review.
Click to expand...
See section 5.3 of Apple's App Store Review Guidelines for other restrictions on gambling apps.

Article Link: Apple Says Simulated Gambling Apps Will Be Rated 17+ in All Countries Starting Today
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/08/20/apple-simulated-gambling-apps-17-plus-rating/
B4U said:
And what about those games that claims they pay you cash when we win?
Click to expand...

If you mean apps like HQ Trivia, so far they’ve not been considered gambling because in order to win they are based on skill.
 
macfacts said:
I'm wondering why apple doesn't take a 30% cut for gambling and lottery apps.
Click to expand...

Apple would not be able to accept credit cards for in-app payments then. (Technically, they could only run credit cards as cash advances, so you'd be charged a cash advance fee and interest from day 1)
 
the most amazing thing is how the heck people even find these kinds of apps. I can't imagine scrolling for endless hours in the App Store looking for some off the wall app hidden within the millions available
 
That’s it boys, we solved it. Gambling addiction is no more. *crowd cheering in the back* *F-16 flies overhead and a 80s guitar solo*
 
As somebody who works in the industry, this is meaningless. Regulation and licensing matter more and gamblers must prove with ID, they are 18+.

A user may download a gambling app but that’s about all they can do. Even free to play is not permitted without age verification in regulated markets.

I think the real problem here are “freemium” apps, or ones like Zynga Poker (do they still exist?), who charge for chips but you get nothing back other than.....worthless virtual chips. If there were ever a scam.....
 
I also wonder how Apple will deal with those gatcha games all over Japan and China. Given the naturally low drop rate of “rare” items, one can easily burn thousands if not millions of dollars to “scout” or “gatcha” a specific item. Addictive? Guaranteed. Age restriction? Probably not much.
 
beanbaguk said:
As somebody who works in the industry, this is meaningless. Regulation and licensing matter more and gamblers must prove with ID, they are 18+.

A user may download a gambling app but that’s about all they can do. Even free to play is not permitted without age verification in regulated markets.

I think the real problem here are “freemium” apps, or ones like Zynga Poker (do they still exist?), who charge for chips but you get nothing back other than.....worthless virtual chips. If there were ever a scam.....
Click to expand...
Gambling in general is a problem. It is a bad habit. So many people are addicted to gambling that it should be banned. Period.
 
FamVR said:
Gambling in general is a problem. It is a bad habit. So many people are addicted to gambling that it should be banned. Period.
Click to expand...

I agree that’s this is a gimmick and it will solve gambling problem just as much as it solved mass shootings by removing gun emoji.
By the way, only USA and random third world countries have this shooting problem. Why should I and millions of other Apple users, living outside US and North America in general, have to suffer this barbaric lack of freedom to send gun emoji, if literally it is only one counties fault?
Again same goes for gambling- I don’t see it as a solution. Fine, some kid can’t download some game app. Whatever, open computer and gamble there, or go gamble on a street with some friends, gamble with your sister on what’s going to be for dinner. Possibilities are endless.
Also, I believe smartphones are addictive, you should ban all of them. Apple should stop producing them, iPhones only make this problem worse. See, how narrow minded it sounds?
 
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MacRumors said:



In an email to developers today, received by MacRumors, Apple has announced that apps marked as having "Frequent/Intense Simulated Gambling" will be rated 17+ in all countries and regions starting today.

simulated-gambling-app.jpg

Gambling apps meeting certain related criteria will also be newly available to users in South Korea, but only to users 19 years of age or older.

Apple's full email:See section 5.3 of Apple's App Store Review Guidelines for other restrictions on gambling apps.

Article Link: Apple Says Simulated Gambling Apps Will Be Rated 17+ in All Countries Starting Today
Click to expand...

Sigh.

I remember playing the sorts of games where earning ones keep rested on three essential strategies-- playing in the casino, smuggling narcotics, and selling slaves. Only then could one afford the weapons to take on the more advanced missions.
 
FamVR said:
Gambling in general is a problem. It is a bad habit. So many people are addicted to gambling that it should be banned. Period.
Click to expand...

Drinking in general is a problem. It is a bad habit. So many people are addicted to drinking that it should be banned. Period.

(See how silly your comment sounds?)

Also, if you ban gambling, you’ll simply drive it underground into the hands of criminals, and those who are most vulnerable will be hit hardest.

For a real life example, think prohibition.
 
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beanbaguk said:
Drinking in general is a problem. It is a bad habit. So many people are addicted to drinking that it should be banned. Period.

(See how silly your comment sounds?)

Also, if you ban gambling, you’ll simply drive it underground into the hands of criminals, and those who are most vulnerable will be hit hardest.

For a real life example, think prohibition.
Click to expand...

So make (any bad but illegal thing) legal? After all, if we ban it, we'll drive it underground and into the hands of criminals and those who are most vulnerable will be hit hardest.

(See how silly your comment sounds?)

Life isn't quite as black-and-white as you see it.
 
atmenterprises said:
So make (any bad but illegal thing) legal? After all, if we ban it, we'll drive it underground and into the hands of criminals and those who are most vulnerable will be hit hardest.

(See how silly your comment sounds?)

Life isn't quite as black-and-white as you see it.
Click to expand...

Not at all and you’re quite right. Life isn’t black and white but I see it very clearly; But it is better to have regulated gambling that controls profit/loss, provides jobs and taxes to the state, and keeps it mostly out of criminals hands and minors.

I also don’t think gambling is so bad if done in moderation. I also would like to ask if you’ve ever played the lottery? Have you ever invested in a private pension, trades stocks and shares?

Whether you like it or not, that’s also gambling.

Should we ban this too?

I have no issue with you not liking gambling. Don’t gamble. But I think it’s better to have choice to offer what people want and have that regulated.
 
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