The popular mobile phone game "Coin Master" has been criticized for months for enticing children to gamble.
In autumn 2019, presenter Jan Böhmermann pointed out in his TV show that the app disguised as an adventure title uses unambiguous gambling mechanisms to encourage users to spend as much real money as possible.
Then the application of the Israeli developer Moon Active came into the sights of the State Agency for Media in North Rhine-Westphalia.
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The authority initiated proceedings against the studio because the app in its present form did not meet the requirements for the protection of minors and could no longer be sold in Germany.
According to the state authority, the procedure was finally concluded on April 3, 2020.
Coin Master: Only minor changes
The sobering result: "Coin Master" is still available in Germany.
The developers were only encouraged to make minor changes to the game.
After installing the app, users now have to confirm twice with a single click that they are over 18 years old.
The app is no longer officially allowed for minors.
It remains more than questionable whether this will keep children from gambling.
As a further measure, "Coin Master" now explicitly points out the option to deactivate in-app purchases.
The fact that the title is hardly playable without real money investment goes unmentioned.
Last but not least, Moon Active will discontinue advertising for the game.
Previously, celebrities such as Daniela Katzenberger, Dieter Bohlen and YouTuber Bianca Claßen ("Bibis Beauty Palace") had promoted "Coin Master".
Coin Master: Medienanstalt speaks of success
Despite the continued and unrestricted availability of the app, the Landesanstalt für Medien describes the result as a particular success.
For the first time, action was taken against an app provider outside of Europe and was able to persuade them to comply with German youth protection laws.
In "Coin Master", players have to build their own villages and protect them against attackers.
Any action requires the possession of virtual coins. In turn, users earn them via a classic one-armed bandit.
After a few free attempts, horrific sums of money are incurred for its use.
Alternatively, players have the option of waiting several hours before they are next allowed to use the slot machines for free.
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