Online Gambling Community Shut Down by Second LifeFollowing an investigation by the FBI into Linden Labs, the founder of virtual community Second Life, that entity has decided to stop allowing online gambling within its community.
Gambling911.com first reported back in April on how the FBI was invited to review Second Life policy by invitation.
"Because there are a variety of conflicting gambling regulations around the world we have chosen to restrict gambling in Second Life," explained a release from Second Life.
"Because this is an evolving area of law, we may continue to adjust and clarify this policy as we receive feedback from the community and from legal authorities, or as new regulations, industry practices and technology solutions come into effect.
"Linden Lab will actively enforce this policy. If we discover gambling activities that violate the policy, we will remove all related objects from the inworld environment, may suspend or terminate the accounts of residents involved without refund or payment, and may report any relevant details, including user information, to authorities and financial institutions."
Linden Lab's rules have always prohibited "illegal" activity. The climate surrounding online gambling is still quite vague.
Second Life (abbreviated to SL) is an Internet-based virtual world which came to international attention via mainstream news media in late 2006 and early 2007. Developed by Linden Lab, a downloadable client program enables its users, called "Residents", to interact with each other through motional avatars, providing an advanced level of a social network service combined with general aspects of a metaverse.
Residents can explore, meet other Residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, create and trade items (virtual property) and services from one another.
Up until this week, they could also play at virtual casinos.
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com
Originally published July 26, 2007 10:07 am ET
