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Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

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Re: Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

#11

Post by rvnx »

jermaustin1 wrote: post #8
autokad wrote: post #2

>Today I received an email from Google Play Support stating that Luck be a Landlord has been geo-blocked in the following countries: United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. >According to Google, the app "contains content that doesn't comply with the Gambling policy." > It should go without saying that I 100% disagree with this d…

But the game is just a game, there is no gambling. You don't pay money or get money... well you buy the game, but the slot machine aspect is a game mechanic, the same as an RPG will have a dice roll in the background and check against your stats and buffs.

"Apps that simulate gambling, or games of chance or skill that are conducive to gambling are prohibited in the above locales"

Luck be a Landlord seems to be a harmless Slot Simulator with RPG elements.

It's harmless.

Or, seen from the legislators from these countries; is it harmless ? Or is it the beginning of a gambling addiction ?

From my perspective I'd like this app to be available everywhere, but it seems to be more a political issue than a policy issue directly.

Usually game developers hide such mechanics under bonus stages or lootboxes from what I've seen.

Re: Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

#12

Post by settyness »

This game's primary mechanic is decision making and deck-building. There is no wagering or gambling of money real or otherwise. Only someone grossly misinformed could consider this game gambling, and by their logic would disqualify all games that had any elements of randomness.

I did a double take when I saw this title on the front page of Hacker News. I didn't think it was super well known and I just started playing it again. I hate gambling in games more than anything, and it kills me to see 2K continue to get away with literal slot machines and roulettes, with real money and given an "E" for "Everyone" by a group that is run by a lot of these triple-A board members.

Re: Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

#13

Post by tavavex »

> "Apps that simulate gambling, or games of chance or skill that are conducive to gambling are prohibited in the above locales."

This is such a strange decision. I know that this game has no microtransactions, actual gambling or any other forms of monetization, outside of paying to purchase this game. Does this mean that any games where chance plays a major role are off-limits? Or is it the slot machine-like appearance?

What I wonder is, are gacha games still available in these regions? They seem to be a lot more resembling of actual gambling, but few places appeared interested in regulating them.

Re: Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

#14

Post by catchnear4321 »

exac wrote: post #7
voytec wrote: post #3

How Is Google operating legally in Iran?

Perhaps they are not, but it makes sense for them to keep their Iranian policies up to date so they can enter the country as soon as possible if they are allowed.

what’s interesting is that it isn’t geo-fenced for north korea.

but it is for south korea.

Re: Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

#15

Post by johndhi »

As someone who makes decisions like the one Google made here at work, sorry, dude, but arguing about it publicly isn't going to change much.

Almost certainly Google has received pressure from these countries on this issue and their business there is more important to google than your single app. Google likely isn't being unreasonable - but the governments of these countries are. Sorry.

Re: Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

#17

Post by johndhi »

gwbas1c wrote: post #9
autokad wrote: post #2

>Today I received an email from Google Play Support stating that Luck be a Landlord has been geo-blocked in the following countries: United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. >According to Google, the app "contains content that doesn't comply with the Gambling policy." > It should go without saying that I 100% disagree with this d…

The issue is that other apps with similar (or outright copied) functionality are allowed in those countries. The problem is with Google's inconsistent appeals process, not with the laws of those countries.

Well maybe Google got specific complaints about this app. It's actually better that they only ban some not all, isn't it?

Re: Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

#18

Post by tspike »

johndhi wrote: post #15

As someone who makes decisions like the one Google made here at work, sorry, dude, but arguing about it publicly isn't going to change much. Almost certainly Google has received pressure from these countries on this issue and their business there is more important to google than your single app. Google likely isn't being unreasonable - but the governments of these countries are. Sorry.

Why is there not even lip service paid to consistent enforcement?

Re: Luck be a Landlord is now banned in 13 countries on the Google Play Store

#20

Post by paulddraper »

autokad wrote: post #2

>Today I received an email from Google Play Support stating that Luck be a Landlord has been geo-blocked in the following countries: United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. >According to Google, the app "contains content that doesn't comply with the Gambling policy." > It should go without saying that I 100% disagree with this d…

> it violates the gambling policy of those countries

FYI for future reference, countries' policies are more commonly referred to as "Laws."

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