I've been searching around for a little while and I haven't found anything that can help me out. I'm toying with the idea of offering real prizes for being the champion in a web based game. The game will be free to play and as you play you earn ranking. At the end of the contest, whoever has the highest ranking wins the prize. I'll be using advertising to earn revenues for the site but other than that, players will never need to spend any of their money. What are the legal issues if any with this? Canadian specific laws would be ideal if possible. Thanks, John

You will more than likely want to consult an attorney familiar with Canada's gambling and gaming laws, particularly within the jurisdiction where you are located. Some jurisdictions have a fairly broad definition of what constitutes internet "gambling", including any mechanism or program than enables participants to compete in a game of chance for a prize. In the broadest definitions investment by the participant isn't strictly necessary. Bear in mind that many jurisdictions ban gambling and online gambling outright.

Also bear in mind that other countries' laws, and not just Canadian law, may be an issue.

You will almost certainly need a terms of service/use and restrictions as to who may compete. All of the necessary documentation can be prepared by a competent gaming law attorney.

Quote:

You will almost certainly need a terms of service/use and restrictions as to who may compete. All of the necessary documentation can be prepared by a competent gaming law attorney.

I'd like to add that you'll want to stipulate age requirements (i.e. must be 18 years or older) in your contest rules and make sure your content is applicable. The last thing you want is to make a mature game that you end up having kids play and win at. Could be negative vibes from it all. Good luck with it all. It's nice to see more and more game companies popping up in London these days.

Not to hijack this thread... [post moderated - common sense dictates that any post which starts like this IS going to hijack the thread and therefore should be in its own thread.]

[Edited by - Obscure on March 7, 2009 10:23:37 AM]