Stormie Windlow

My coding experience on computers is exactly zero (my biggest achievement is getting my pc to work again after a windows update corrupted my windows) lol. What you say is logical and from what I can gather, coding is about logic. Every action has to have a pre-determined outcome. If this.....then that? I dont think you could programme any programme to say If this.......then let the player use his/her skill to determine the outcome. By that very nature, a players skill in determining the outcome doesn't come into it. Those that have played some machines for years can see from the beginning of a game how its going to end... e.g. on a well known game if you "hit the spider before finding x2 and x3, you're basically gonna lose until enough people have lost or enough money has been fed to satisfy it, then it will pay out. The secret to that particular game is to find it last..not first. But that's common knowledge. Another is, if a jackpot goes, keep playing because by hitting the right number...you get x100 on the next spin. Aint rocket science, its how the codes work (or appear to on a regular basis). Only a games creator can say nope, that aint how it works at all, you know nothing you muppet. I only say that to highlight how some games if played enough appear predictable. The skill element is knowing which games to play and when, by watching previous scores, how they spin, how much has been fed into it...that's the skill element...which applies to ALL games. Yup, can hear a few over-inflated egos exploding from here who actually are convinced its their skills... its nothing to do with how you play the machine...its all about when and which one you play...in other words..pure luck of timing...Nothing more. In the words of one high roller, who is quite successful, when asked how do they do it...his reply was...."by simply, watching and gaining the knowledge when to play". Makes you think doesn't it?

Yep Marishka A few saw that loophole a way back and was going to use and test it... I guess now we will be seeing an amended TOS to sign very shortly.

Sorina If what you say is correct, and there has been no misunderstanding on your part, then that is indeed alarming. I can understand LL wanting to know all details relevant to the operator applicant, but why on earth would they want to know about previously known business associates? Why go back a year? Does the application say why this information is required? What if some of these associates have gone from SL? One may think they are "after" the ones that have made a fair amount of money from past gaming and have now "flown" away. If known business associates are US based then they are governed by US laws. But what if some known associates are outside of USA? I know the law F.A.T.C.A. encourages snitching on its US citizens worldwide but if your statement is true then that mentality is now with us in the virtual world. You may find yourself with the dilemma, snitch on previous associates to comply with LL's demands and qualify for a licence and then possibly falling foul of some law or other in a different country. Before complying to the snitching questions I'd be seeking legal advice as to your own rights to ensure that by complying to LLs demands, you are not abusing any residents rights under DATA Protection or Human Rights. Not sure if Safe Harbour comes into play here but I've assumed (dangerous I know) that LL has signed up with the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework Requirements in order to ask for information regarding non US citizens, if not then are they legally entitled to ask these questions? Or is it a case of their game - their rules? Personally, I can't see why they need to ask about your business associates (current or past). Surely, they already have on file the information they require regarding an account..or maybe their databases are so bad and in such a mess, they need others to point routes to find them. Possibly, the application process has been designed to make it easy for "evidence gathering" to track down those that have "taken the money and run" in the past; Snitch or dont qualify for a licence, who knows, one can speculate endlessly and get it completely wrong. Yes, of course, that sounds way over the top to play a virtual (once a fantasy, long gone) game, farcical in fact, but then...these new TOS are complex and really not designed for the "average" guy in the street...its designed for the legal eagles. As we all know, the more complicated a rule is, the bigger the fee to have it made clear to you, so some will give up and fall by the wayside. Choice is pay up or run the risk of unknowingly taking part in illegal activities and face its consquences. Ignorance of the law is no defence, but then that applies to all - LL included. I do know one thing, I'd have to be very very sure of my own facts and my own position before snitching information to LL about anyone, no matter who they are, were, or wherever they live in the real world because it could have long lasting, time consuming and costly repercussions.

This thread has prompted more questions than even the Lindens themselves have answers for, hence it appears to have been abandoned by the Linden Bot quite a while ago. As just a punter its stopped me having any ideas of going to the gaming region (I dont really mind as it will save me buying lindens to play) until I know that any linden I lose or win is not (or otherwise) going to be reported to my Inland Revenue.. To me that was a clear question that just required a yes or no. For those wishing to operate or create it must be a total nightmare trying to understand what's required. From what I can determine its a case of: Do A...but dont do A until you can answer B but answer B wont be available until C is completed, which cant be completed until you do A. I think all questions have had valid points and are pertinent and really need answering, especially the one that asks after all the costs, possibly a few thousand RL dollars, will it transfer to SL2?. It appears that the new TOS valid as of 1st August 2014 will only be workable on that day for the "barons" who have the wealth and contacts to make their paths easier because although its been asked a few times if there could be a delay in its implementation, I highly doubt that will happen. Yes, its rapid, and as has been shown, appears almost hastily put together in a panic and scrambled, but that date for whatever reason, is important to Linden Labs so therefore it will probably stand as is. For me personally, it feels the fun element just had its guts ripped out but as we're talking about Second Life...is prepared to be amazed and hope it all ends up as an improved and positive experience.

My only thinking on the new tighter regulations was for SL to become tax compliant, push out the smaller gaming sim owners by making the costs prohibitive leaving room for the bigger guys to come in. Several casinos in Las Vegas offer online gambling. Golden Nugget being one. But maybe this isn't about this version of SL. Maybe, this is to pave the way to allow this to happen on SL2?

I think its safe to assume that there will be taxation implications. I'm hoping to get a clear answer to that question when a Linden comes online.

As Im not a creator nor an operator, I feel most of the changes will have little or no effect on me and as has been mentioned previously, it does appear that non US based potential applicants for both are being frozen out, I see this as mostly affecting US citizens. Once the new gaming regions are set up I should in theory have no problem playing the machines as Im over 21 in real life and live in the UK. However, that's the theory, reality maybe different. I think its a case of wait and see. My question is before I even set foot on the gaming region, with these tighter controls, will you be sending everyone's details to their relevant tax authorities (IRS, Inland Revenue). If so, what information will you be sending exactly? Obviously, as a creator or operator, with only one account responsible for income and expenditure, it will be easy to monitor and control but how will you be treating the punter in all this? In the past I've played some, lost more, won some but just treated it as a fun thing; now it feels way more serious hence my question about tax implications etc. I really do apologise if this question has been asked and answered previously but I've read the thread and couldn't see this covered and I really would like clarification as to how I'm going to get treated once (or if) I play on the gaming region. Thank you.

According to my grid status, the bandaid they slapped on the gaping wound yesterday fell off..so its back to Connectivity issues.

Well I can't speak for anyone else but I gave up buying a couple of days ago. That lovely 5 year old bug is back...the one where you spend lindens and pop...you have -1L in your account. While its so bad and you cant even see the mesh clothing you do buy.. Im waiting. For what exactly I have no idea. Yesterday was not even funny. And yes, I am on the latest versions of everything. So as usual, its one step forward...5 back.