NBA 2K20 Gambling Controversy: Gambling for Everyone?

Recently, simulated gambling started to get more and more popular in video games. The new NBA 2K20 published by 2K Sports features enhances graphics and new modes. However, the main reason why the game generated controversy is simulated gambling and elements of games of chance in the gameplay. Today, we are going to take a look at the NBA 2k20 gambling issue. 

A few words about NBA 2k20

NBA 2k20 is a pay-to-win basketball simulator that features real-life starts of the modern National Basketball Association. Developed by Visual Concepts, the game has incredible graphics and the characters match appearances of the real-life NBA players. As the game is a successor of NBA 2K19, the gameplay is pretty much similar to the last year’s version.

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NBA 2K20 has several gameplay modes. For example, the most popular ones are MyCareer and MyTeam modes. In MyCareer mode, a player can create their own character and build a career. This mode focuses on the storyline of a character and a player needs to upgrade their character in order to win. On the other hand, MyTeam mode works like a fantasy basketball, where a player needs to customize their own team, trade characters and compete against other teams. There are a few ways to receive new characters, including trading and buying virtual card decks. This leads us to the next topic – gambling controversy in the game.

NBA 2K20 gambling controversy

Each part of NBA 2K is scolded for the number of microtransactions. NBA 2K20 combines such games as a roulette-style wheel of fortune, slot, and pachinko. And the developers do not seem to pay attention to the reviews. They continue to follow their development vector, creating an environment where a player has to pay in order to win the game. This issue is especially relevant when it comes to MyTeam mode. Unlike in other modes, where a player needs to gain skills and knowledge about the gameplay, MyTeam mode is based on an element of chance.

As the players need to customize their own teems, they need to purchase digital packs with players for real money. And although the decks are available for different prices, a high price doesn’t necessarily guarantee that a player will get a rare character. As a result, a player will have to spend a lot of money on creating a competitive team. Furthermore, unlike most of the pay-to-win games, the NBA 2k20 isn’t free – you will have to buy the game.

Simulated gambling?

A lot of people have started to express their concerns about gambling elements available for underaged players. Publisher 2K Sports has been accused of promoting simulated gambling among kids and teenagers. The game has received numerous negative reviews and its like-dislike ratio is very uneven.

Random rewards such as items, characters, and skins have always been a part of video games. However, there is a difference between an element of randomness and simulated gambling. If a player is guaranteed to receive a randomized prize that is worth money a player spent on it, then it is just an element of randomness. At the same time, in case there is no correspondence between the value of the prize and money spent on betting, then it is considered simulated gambling. Loot boxes or loot crates usually work in the same way.

Lastly, as the game only features elements of gambling, it doesn’t fall under the legal restrictions. NBA 2K20 has 3+ year old rating, which means that basically people of all ages can play it. As a result, the game promotes simulated gambling among the underaged players.

Betting on real NBA

As we mentioned before, simulated gambling has become incredibly popular among game developers. However, such forms of simulated gambling as virtual decks, wheel of fortune, loot boxes don’t fall under legal restrictions. A part of being a responsible gambler is using legitimate gambling platforms. For instance, you wouldn’t meet underaged players on online gambling sites in the US. Moreover, online casino sites in the US offer a wide variety of NBA betting options, from futures betting to betting on a total points scored. US residents can bet on NBA using Bovada Sportsbook.  And if you want to learn more about the welcome package and daily events, check out our review about Bovada Sportsbook. 

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