Does the mobile game “Coin Master” introduce children to gambling addiction? At least that’s what Jan Böhmermann suspects in his show Neo Magazin Royale – the Federal Review Board is now responding.
Mobile games have been all the rage for several years now and can be found on pretty much every display. However, what thousands of players, often children, play is not always immediately clear at first glance. In his show “Neo Magazin Royale,” satirist Jan Böhmermann took a look at a popular mobile game and concludes: Children are being taken money out of their pockets and are being deliberately made receptive to gambling.
As an example, the game “Coin Master,” which often ranks high in the App Store, usually at number 1. It is extremely popular.
What is Coin Master? Coin Master is a mobile game with cute graphics that is clearly aimed at a younger audience. In terms of gameplay, it resembles many other mobile games. Players can build their own villages and raid other players’ villages.
Most actions in the game, however, cost coins, the namesake coins. Depending on the app store, the game is rated at 16 or “17+”, but was previously available without age restriction.
What is the problem? The coins are limited in Coin Master. They are primarily received when the player plays on a virtual one-armed bandit. However, players can only use it a few times per hour, which severely limits the acquisition of coins.
However, those who wish can play on the machines much more frequently if they pay real money for it. Depending on the offer, this can cost up to €109.99.
Böhmermann criticizes game content, advertising, and developers’ intentions
Jan Böhmermann criticizes several aspects of Coin Master. He believes that these games are only developed to acclimate children and young people to gambling from an early age so that they later take their money to casinos. He supports this statement, among other things, by pointing out that the investors behind the development of Coin Master are largely involved in gambling businesses, one of whom founded the sports betting site bwin, while another led a massive offering of online casinos.
Actually, there are strict rules for gambling in Germany, which can only be played by adults and only under compliance with many regulations. However, this does not apply to Coin Master and its one-armed bandits.
Why isn’t this gambling? Playing the one-armed bandit in the game does not constitute gambling under German law. For that, all 3 criteria must be met simultaneously:
- Real money stake
- Real money winning possibility
- Outcome based on chance
In Coin Master (and similar apps), not all 3 conditions are met because you cannot win real money. In some cases, the outcome is also not based on chance but on an algorithm. Therefore, such games are not considered gambling and are still accessible to minors.
Advertising by Influencers is inappropriate: Another point of criticism is Coin Master’s advertising campaign. In various clips, well-known influencers can be seen playing the game. Among them are famous YouTubers like Bibi from Bibis Beauty Palace, Simon Desue, but also Dieter Bohlen and musician Pietro Lombardi.
Especially the influencers primarily have a teenage audience that is to be guided to gambling-like activities.
How Böhmermann achieved a response from the authorities
In his show, Böhmermann called on his viewers to file a complaint with the Federal Review Board for Youth-Endangering Media (BPjM). This can only be done by educational institutions (like schools) or authorities in such cases.
The call was successful: Just a few days after the call, Böhmermann was able to record a success. Because as reported by GameStar, the BPjM has received “a multitude of applications or suggestions for the indexing of the game”. As a result, Coin Master is now being reviewed by the authority for its youth-endangering character.
Coin Master is a special case: It also appears from BPjM’s statement that Coin Master is, in fact, a special case. Normally, applications involve cases of glorification of violence or pornography. However, in Coin Master’s case:
The use of loot boxes in video games and gambling simulations is discussed in the context of gambling, promoting media addiction behavior, and cost traps on the internet.
In contrast to the traditional jurisdiction of the BPjM, the risks for children and adolescents in this case do not primarily arise from the actual content of the game, but from the special game setup.
It must be noted that Coin Master is by far not the only game of its kind. Referring to it as a “special case” could therefore create a false impression. It may be a special case for the Federal Review Board because it usually receives different reports – however, Coin Master is certainly not a “special case” in mobile gaming.
In many mobile games, it is common to have a waiting time component that can be bypassed by using real money. A similar principle often exists with treasure chests that can be opened or energy supplies that can be restored.
These methods have been increasingly criticized in recent years – especially within the gaming scene.
Thanks to Böhmermann, this kind of game may now be brought more into the public eye. And maybe it will help some parents protect their children from these gambling traps.
What do you think about such games? Should they be banned, or should they not be accessible to minors? Or should we take it all lightly?
Gambling and loot boxes are a topic that comes up time and again:
