Second Life Changing Mind

Linden Labs had asked the FBI to check the legality of their new site, called “Second Life.” The site is a listing of virtual world gaming options, and when they asked the government to tell them if it was legal or not, it got a lot of press from the request. However, now it seems that even though it was poised to become quite the phenomenon – it may not be happening at all.

The site has decided to change their policies and according to Poker News this week they will no longer be allowing classified ads or place or event listings on their site. PalmVegas.com has also announced that they would start banning US players from using their casino as well. Palm Vegas is one of Second Life’s casinos.

There are a couple of issues going on here, with one of them being the basis of the company. The company prides itself on being the renegade, that they are a capitalist ideal. Their clients can buy and sell virtual products and services, and it truly does seem like the ideal. So by them going to the government and asking them for permission, it seems to go against everything they stand for.

However, many think that the fact that you can use the virtual dollar, the Linden dollar, to play; and that it can be changed to US dollars, makes it seem like they are online gambling. Because of the new UIGEA law they have fallen into a grey area that could get them into trouble.



Back to April Archive or Slot Machines