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Wagering and gaming:

Skill Gaming FAQ

Billing issues:

Account and tax documentation FAQs:

Other:

1Why can’t I access a Skill Gaming Region?
26Application process:
27Skill Game Add-ons

Note: Operator Applications are currently open as of March 24, 2020.

Why can’t I access a Skill Gaming Region?

There are a number of reasons you may not be able to access a Skill Gaming Region. See the following to see if you meet all the requirements:

Authorized participants

Only users that meet the criteria for Skill Gaming are permitted to access Skill Gaming Regions and participate in Skill Gaming in Second Life. Participation is limited to residents who meet the following criteria:

Have current billing information on file
Have an active payment method on file
Are at least 19 years of age
Do not reside in a prohibited state listed below
Are not connecting from a prohibited state

Note: If you believe you meet all requirements for access, but are still unable to enter a Skill Gaming Region, please try resubmitting your current billing information and re-logging into Second Life as a first step toward troubleshooting.

Please review the list of prohibited states below and your account status to see if you can participate.

Does Gambling Take Skill Points

Prohibited states and countries

Residents of the following states and countries may not participate in Skill Gaming in Second Life:

Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Nevada
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee

Online gambling (i.e., gambling games of chance such as poker, blackjack and slots) is legal where I live. With this new system in place, can I gamble in Second Life?

No. Approved games of skill will be permitted on Skill Gaming Regions, but this does not change our policy forbidding gambling (wagering on games of chance) in Second Life.

Will regions on the Mainland be able to get the Skill Gaming Region designation?

No. Not all Second Life users will be able to access Skill Gaming Regions and we do not want to block residents from accessing any region on the Mainland, so we do not plan to permit the Skill Gaming Region designation for any portion of the Mainland at this time.

What does Linden Lab consider a skill game?

“Skill Game” refers to any game: 1) whose outcome is determined by skill and is not contingent, in whole or in material part, upon chance; 2) requires or permits the payment of Linden Dollars to play; 3) provides a payout in Linden Dollars; and 4) is legally authorized by applicable United States and international law. Lobstermania free online slots.

Can I advertise Skill Gaming related games, contests, Skill Gaming regions, etc. outside of Second Life?

No. Advertising Skill Gaming outside of Second Life is strictly prohibited.

I own a region and would like it to be converted to a Skill Gaming Region. What do I need to do?

Note: Operator Applications are currently open as of March 24, 2020.

Submit a support ticket and pay the applicable maintenance fee.
Skill Gaming Regions will begin rolling out in late July, 2014.
Once your region has been designated a Skill Gaming Region, you will need to become an approved operator if you would like to operate games of skill on that region. For more details, please review the application.
Note: Skill Gaming Regions cannot be located adjacent to non-Skill Gaming Regions.

Why will a Skill Gaming Region be more expensive than a regular region in Second Life? What is the additional cost?

The maintenance costs for these regions will be higher due to the greater degree of ongoing administrative work associated with administering our rules concerning Skill Gaming in these regions.
Maintenance fees for Skill Gaming Regions will be $345/month. There shall be a $251 fee associated with the conversion of an existing Full Region to a Skill Gaming Region.

I want to operate approved games of skill in a Skill Gaming Region. What do I need to do?

Note: Operator Applications are currently open as of March 24, 2020.

Apply to become an approved operator.
Due to processing and compliance-related costs associated with maintaining this program, there is a one-time nonrefundable application fee as well as a quarterly license fee for those designated as approved operators. We will maintain a public wiki page of approved operators.

I already create games of skill that offer Linden Dollar payouts. What do I need to do to ensure I am following the Terms of Service?

Do those games of skill require or permit Linden Dollars to participate and provides a payout in Linden Dollars? If yes, stop making, selling, or operating these games of skill. They have not been approved through the Skill Gaming application process and apply to become an approved creator. You may resume skill gaming activities, subject to our Skill Gaming Policy, upon approval of your application.
Due to processing and compliance-related costs associated with maintaining this program, there is a one-time nonrefundable application fee as well as a quarterly license fee for those designated as approved creators. We will maintain a public wiki page of approved creators.
If the games of skill you're operating do not require or permit Linden Dollars to participate and provides a payout in Linden Dollars, then you are not subject to the Skill Gaming Policy.

I already operate games of skill that offer Linden Dollar payouts. What do I need to do to ensure I am following the Terms of Service?

Stop operating games of skill that have not been approved through the Skill Gaming application process and apply to become an approved operator. You may resume skill gaming activities, subject to our Skill Gaming Policy, upon approval of your application.
Due to processing and compliance-related costs associated with maintaining this program, there is a one-time nonrefundable application fee as well as a quarterly license fee for those designated as approved operators. We will maintain a public wiki page of approved operators.

If I would like to become an approved creator, will I need to provide a reasoned legal opinion from an attorney licensed to practice law within the United States of America?

Yes. Additionally, each reasoned legal opinion submitted by an applicant must be prepared by a credible licensed attorney whose identity, legal experience, and standing to practice law are known to such applicant.

As a resident, how can I tell that I am following the rules - i.e. that the region I am playing in is a Skill Gaming Region and the game I am playing is an approved game of skill run by an approved operator?

Check the setting of the region to verify that it is a Skill Gaming Region.
Skill Gaming Regions will appear in our Destination Guide (unless the owner requests its removal) and we will maintain a list of the approved operators (including their approved skill-based games).