iPhone gambling applications free to download by kids

The iPhone is becoming a source of contention in Australia where Senator Xenophon is upset that children of any age can download free applications for poker machines and other online casino games. Although the children are not able to actually gamble for money Xenophon sees this as “a training application for kids to lose real money when they turn 18”. “It’s irresponsible to allow these applications in the hands of children” he said, “We already have a big enough gambling problem in this country and there is no doubt this will fuel gambling addiction”. The applications carry a recommended age of 12 but even that is considered insufficient by the Senator. Apparently some applications allow the user to change the setting s of the payouts so that winning is a high probability which is unacceptable in the eyes of Xenophon. “The use of money, albeit fantasy, drills home a false impression that poker machines can be a source of money or income,” he said; “There needs to be a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling laws because otherwise we will see a new wave of problem gamblers as soon as these kids turn 18″. Online casinos do of course restrict players under the age of 18 but nearly all kids have modern iPhones these days and downloads are not restricted at the moment. If the Senator has his way the federal government will outlaw gambling games for children. Playing games for free in an online casino is something we recommend as a way to learn a game so to make them available to children seems wrong.