Has iPhone Gambling Just Been Legalized by Apple?

[Michael Essany]

It seems like quite an example of jumping to conclusions, but some are interpreting a change of language in the iPhone developer agreement to mean that gambling is now "possible" via the iPhone. Here's the revised text without paraphrasing:

3.3.17 Your Application may include promotional sweepstake or contest functionality provided that You are the sole sponsor of the promotion and that You and Your Application comply with any applicable laws.

The "applicable laws" aspect obviously addresses strict rules governing gambling in certain places, but in the digital world, those "certain places" are difficult to police.

Ideally, this updated provision will inspire a wide range of new ideas and fresh creativity to app development and promotional angles. While sweepstakes and giveaways will likely represent the first wave of developers, businesses, and enterprising individuals to take advantage of this opportunity, it's safe to say that there will be other, more sinister intentions that come down the road.

And that's why some people are concerned with the revised text in the iPhone developer agreement.

Joel Comm, however, the creator of iFart Mobile, doesn't seem to be worried at all. He's behind "The KaChing Button," which is plowing down this new and potentially treacherous path by offering users an opportunity to win cash prizes in a new promotional sweepstakes. This is, obviously, a savvy and harmless idea. And, hopefully, we'll see more of the same.

In the big picture, though, I guess it's a good thing that Apple has gained lots of courtroom and legal experience in recent years amidst a ton of lawsuits involving our friends in Cupertino. You can almost smell a lawsuit somewhere down the road as a result of this revision and, some would say, "change in policy."

Image via The Sydney Morning Herald

[DarwinThorne]

Full Tilt on iPhone. Could it be???

[Melech518]

I would love fulltilt

[holdemdogg]

Fulltilt would be nice

[tudtran]

Damn. People thought of everything for the iPhone.

[confucious]

Gambling used to be quite restricted in the UK but now they seem to encourage people to lose their money.
I can bet on a two horse race and lose every time so I know better but many people lose a lot of money - often those that can afford to lose least.
Gambling is for fools - unfortunately there are plenty around.

[damod84]

every post you make has to be some ahole remark doesn't it, putting a damper on the topic or attacking people and trying to make them feel like crap. get a life.

[Jahooba]

Hehe, my first thought was, "Every program I buy from the Appstore is a gamble."

[NArush]

So why haven't you bought Apple's stock yet? That's a gamble that's sure to pay dividends IMO.

[confucious]

every post you make has to be some ahole remark doesn't it, putting a damper on the topic or attacking people and trying to make them feel like crap. get a life.

I think this post sums up the sort of people that gamble quite nicely.

[Zeal]

Dumb

[yahoowizard]

lmao, well, poker is only a gamble if you don't know how to play...if you end up keep losing to "bad luck" then you shouldn't be playing the game.

[BackSpacer]

How about the picture of this topic with dice on roulette felt. Somebody really didn't know how to gamble

[r0bErT4u]

IMO, Gambling on the iPhone/iPad is another Pandora's Box.

With Apps that Count Cards, Odds Calculators, etc. at users finger tips ... How will that factor in?

[thetoothfairy]

Gambling is one of those things that people are addicted to that can destroy ones life! I don't think we need to gamble on our phones.... not a good idea Apple...

[lolcats1]

staff writer? what a joke.

Has iPhone Gambling Just Been Legalized by Apple? The ZodTTD Cydget

there's about a dozen reposts throughout the INTERNET. start writing your own stuff/doing your own research. dear lord.

[Nickaroni22]

Gambling on my phone, well maybe I'd win more than I did last night at Charles Town!!!!

[henners123]

Yes at last

[damod84]

no I actually don't gamble condoucheus. you just have a smart *** remark for everything and I finally decided to say something to your ***** ***

[lolcats1]

no I actually don't gamble condoucheus. you just have a smart *** remark for everything and I finally decided to say something to your ***** ***

lol someone has a problem