Should Home Consoles Allow Online Gambling?
If it wasn’t the case a few years ago, it is very evident now: entertainment consoles from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are taking over living rooms around the world, and are providing more than just video games.
With the additions of features that make it truly and entertainment system rather than a video game system, should these console companies expand into the gambling marketplace?
Let’s face it: slots online are becoming increasingly popular, yet based on my own latest tests, you cannot use browsers on the Xbox One or PS4 to access and actually play the games from these sites. Is this a missed opportunity for these companies, or are they opening a box that shouldn’t be opened?
I would personally lead towards saying no. As much as I enjoy both free and for money online gambling sites, the home console probably isn’t the place for those to exist. I’ll examine this in two ways: I don’t think the console companies want this – despite the potential revenue – and I truly don’t think gambling websites want this. Let’s explore each briefly.
Microsoft and Sony appeals to an older audience than perhaps Nintendo does, but they still want to create a safe place for people of all ages to engage with online content, movies, and video games. The only way to truly do this is to put in specific measures – as often as possible – to maintain a safe space. That means limiting the ability to access pornography on your system, and yes, gambling websites as well.
If Microsoft or Sony allowed gambling websites to create apps on their systems, the cons to that proposition – for these companies at least – definitely out weighs the pros. With so much to lose, and so little to gain, it just doesn’t make sense for these two huge corporations to take that risk. Frankly, it doesn’t matter, because I doubt companies are asking anyways, and here is why.
These gambling companies take HUGE persuasions to make sure the right people are accessing their casino online . The way these companies are successful is based on their reliability. With so many gambling options on the internet, it is not always readily apparent which ones are good to use, and which you should avoid. One that allows minors to gamble is probably not one you want to work with. They obviously wouldn’t have too much of a concern for the security of their users.
Second, these companies don’t want bad press. Does any online casino want to admit that someone under the age of 18 has been spending hundreds or thousands of dollars in their marketplace? I think not. Therefore, why risk the chance by putting your casino games in an app for people to download to their Xbox One and PS4 systems.
Those that want to gamble online know where to go for that entertainment. They don’t need it on their home consoles.