Whilst the middle-class media would still attack games as a scourge upon society and a negative influence upon the nation's youth, there can be little doubt that the other form of 'gaming', i.e. gambling, is still held in a somewhat more negative light still. It is surprising then that boss Robert Kotick has spoken this week of the role in-game gambling could play in the future, describing it as the the 'Holy Grail' of the games business.

Kotick reckons the cross-over between gaming and 'gaming' could potentially be huge, and far more extensive than at present (Bet on Soldier, anyone?). He told investors of the potential of wagering with regards to play, telling them that "There's probably lots of opportunities to figure out how to develop prize play [and] cash play as a future growth opportunity. You're going to need a big installed base, and a very different regulatory climate. And that's going to take some time."

Indeed, the Activision CEO actually thinks the integration of gambling is 'inevitable', especially as games become increasingly online and focussed. "When you think about the Holy Grail of the game business, organized for prize play and cash play is going to be the floodgate of opportunity for new audiences," Kotick affirmed. "And it will happen eventually, but I wouldn't expect it anytime soon."

Whilst Activision recently dipped their toes into the realms of online gambling, with a series of decidedly un-seedy Poker games, played for the love it rather than cold hard-cash, online gambling remains illegal in the US and could be a stumbling towards Kotick's envisioned cross-over. More as we get it.

Source: GameSpot

By Luke Guttridge

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