It may be an attractive business model, but any real-money gaming implicates multiple legal areas, including taxes, securities law, and both state and federal-level anti-gambling prohibitions.Įarning real-world cash for virtual goods or gameplay is not a new concept.
However, any company looking at play-to-earn should retain an experienced gaming attorney to consult on their game. Players can trade resources or earn the in-game currency through gathering, completing tasks or quests, or other gameplay.
For example, players may pay real money to buy in-game currency to purchase virtual gear or real estate, but players also have the option to redeem the in-game currency for real-world money. These games let players compete against other players (PvP) or against the the game itself (PvE) to earn rewards that have real-world value. For many gaming developers, play-to-earn is a lucrative business model in 2023 and beyond. Are play-to-earn games legal? The answer depends on the specifics of the game.
