Island company receives unique licence
Recent legislation regulating virtual goods is aimed at protecting children and other vulnerable people from gambling, according to government.
So-called 'skins', which can be used to customise characters and equipment in online games, are being swapped online for money, and traded 'like casino chips'.
It's a $5 billion global business - but has historically been a legal grey area, because of its popularity with gamers under the required age of 18.
ESP.Bet is the first company to receive an Isle of Man 'skin-betting' licence, under the proviso that it excludes underage players.
The Gambling Supervision Commission's deputy chief executive, Mark Rutherford, says regulation like this 'protects kids from themselves':
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