The United Kingdom has set the pace on the gambling saga as two gamers have been charged with “promoting a lottery and advertising unlawful gambling,” reports the BCC. Craig Duglas, also known on YouTube as Nephenthez, and Dylan Rigby, are the latest victims of the unfolding gambling drama which has been plaguing gaming in the past few months. The two appeared in the Birmingham Magistrate’s Court, where the YouTuber is also being charged with inviting children to gamble.
Nepehnthez is a popular FIFA YouTuber, which is why you’ve probably never heard of him, who began promoting his coin betting on Twitter last year. The UK are making an example of the two as they become the first to be prosecuted under Britain’s new Gambling Act which was amended in 2015 to include the now obvious abuse of underage online gambling, specifically in gaming. Dylan Rigby, who will be prosecuted alongside Douglas, was the owner of the FUTgalaxy, where the betting took place.
Underage gambling, and gaming gambling, has become a growing concern for parents as their children partook in gambling, often without their parents knowledge, but with their money. The class action lawsuits opened against Valve earlier this year set the ball rolling, and now the UK are pushing the matter and making an example of both Douglas and Rigby, who have not been charged yet. The case has been adjourned until October 14th, where the two will learn the outcome of their “kiddie casino.”
To put it in perspective, Kotaku reported that the gaming gambling industry, whether it be a case of virtual items, is estimated at up to $7.4 billion. While we’ve been heavily focussed on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, FIFA’s coin black market is apparently huge, and it’s this abuse that has led to these two gamers now facing charges in the Magistrate’s Court.
Last Updated: September 19, 2016
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September 19, 2016 at 11:33
Good
Darren Peach
September 19, 2016 at 12:30
There is no reasonable explanation for exploitation of children. Gambling addiction a a well documented disease that has serious implications for the families of those afflicted. I believe any from of this sort of illegal behavior should have severe consequences for those that risk it out of greed. In other words, Prison terms.
The Order of the Banana
September 19, 2016 at 13:17
Good! And let the punishment be death by snu snu!
http://i.imgur.com/YwwJO.gif
Craig Lotter
September 19, 2016 at 14:22
Side note: “Nepehnthez is a popular FIFA YouTuber, which is why you’ve probably never heard of him, ” <- this brought a smile to my face. Thanks for that! 🙂
Banie Joubert
September 22, 2016 at 12:02
I don’t get the gaming gambling part. I hardly play online games and I don’t play Counterstrike. I know that there is a virtual market for the virtual items (armour, weapons etc) and you can spend real money to get this. But how is this gambling? And how is this breaking the law?