slots game ad

[grff]

Does anyone else have a problem with a gambling game being advertised in a game that a lot of kids and underage people play. Personally a think it's very inappropriate and the add should be removed.

[trace35]

It's completely unacceptable. If it is not removed I will be going over tls head to the powers that be to lay a formal complaint.

[Branston73]

I should! Why does TL need to do this?

[Rachael98]

This is in my opinion a completely inappropriate and unacceptable move which I'm pretty sure would be banned were they governed by UK laws.

Advertising I'll put up with if I must.
Targeting any vulnerable people (ie. teens or even younger children playing despite the ToS) is disrespectful and not something I'll put up with.

TL are big in the UK too - I'm sure Anne Robinson and the rest of the BBC Watchdog team would have a lovely time.

Like how they don't display their ToS, or a link in-game despite their parent company's previous class action; like how young children play this and they advertise games that - in the UK - would have warnings on them.
They might not be breaking the law, but Watchdog is about consumer focus, not all necessarily law.

[GroupMagma]

Please note that we've addressed this topic in other threads. I'll summarize here though:

1) Simulated gambling is not gambling. Promoting "Slots" is not a call for players to gamble, but rather, an invitation to play another game. As with all of TeamLava's games, players do not need to spend any money in Slots. Note that Slots is also not the only game to have similar themes and gameplay features.

2) Children should not be playing our games. When we learn of underage players playing our games, we take appropriate action immediately. Our TOS is prominently displayed on our website, and everything we do is in full compliance of the law and Apple's Terms of Service. We encourage parents and guardians to take an active responsibility in monitoring the games their children are playing.

[ButterPanda]

Again, the game is only a game and not real gambling and it is up to the parents to be able to teach their children properly what they can and cannot do on these devices. We have our age restriction for a reason.

[tamsharley]

I am just as sick of all the game advertising myself. It's just extra stuff we have to waste time xing out of before we can play. They don't need to tell me of the other games they have and would love me to play and spend money on. I don't need that kind of help. I can make my own decisions thank you. So please stop with the extra ads. And the person walking around the store with the ad above his head not buying any thing!

[felicitybliss]

Please note that we've addressed this topic in other threads. I'll summarize here though:

1) Simulated gambling is not gambling. Promoting "Slots" is not a call for players to gamble, but rather, an invitation to play another game. As with all of TeamLava's games, players do not need to spend any money in Slots. Note that Slots is also not the only game to have similar themes and gameplay features.

[QUOTE=ButterPanda;282775]Again, the game is only a game and not real gambling........

Not real gambling? The game has a few dollars to $50 buy in----quite expensive pay to play features. That is absolutely real gambling. read the reviews. Complaints are that the slots are not loose enough. There are comparisons to Vegas and Reno gaming. As I looked at other slot games in the app store, none had pay to play features. The few that had inside purchases were simply to purchase other games.

In my state, there are simulated gaming laws. My state has legalized gaming with the appropriate licenses and taxation. I have already submitted complaints to both the attorney general and the state gaming control board. Shark party LLC has stepped far over the line on this one.


...... it is up to the parents to be able to teach their children properly what they can and cannot do on these devices. We have our age restriction for a reason.

Parents should be responsible? I think companies should be responsible to comply with applicable laws. I hope this product has been licensed by my state (and wherever else it is marketed) and it is receiving a substantial share of revenue from this gambling product.

On a side note, I laughed at the attempt to trademark the word "slots" for downloadable gaming software. It is a very generic word used in the same industry filled with "slots". I looked to see if the trademark application was open for public comment yet, but could not find an application filed by Shark party LLC.

This is a new low for team lava and the associated shark party llc.......

[LCAHEARTS]

And the person walking around the store with the ad above his head not buying any thing!

Yeah, in fact they walk in circles/around the shop/store forever until you tap on them. Only then will they magically disappear or walk out after showing you the full screen ad again. So thanks TL, not only do we have the ad itself, but a loss of profit even if it's one little customer.

As for this issue with Slots...I did my fair research including speaking to a lawyer that happens to be my neighbor. I think you should have done your research TL, quite honestly.

[Emenae]

Lol I saw this and I was surprised. I showed my mum the add... she clicked on it and downloaded it.... Now I hardly get to play on the IPod. xD

[ultrafrog]

just sad to see that TL continues to pursue aversive tactics towards customers rather than creating an enjoyable atmosphere.

Adding more gem traps
Adding more ads

I don't know how many others are like myself and simply holding back from spending ANY money on these games due to how customers are treated.

I'd eat my hat the day I see TL add in

confirmation before gem purchases
removal of ads
revamp the update notifications - we DON'T need to be reminded of the weekly update every time we play, we read it the first time it popped up.

[LCAHEARTS]

revamp the update notifications - we DON'T need to be reminded of the weekly update every time we play, we read it the first time it popped up.

Omg. This has to be my biggest I Just Deal With It Because There Are Bigger Issues BUT GRRRR pet peeve in the games.

[lindsayh942edition]

I think people are over reacting it's not agianst the law for minors to gamble virtually! The thing that bothers me about the giant ads is it's not even a teamlava app

[grff]

"Simulated gambling is not real gambling" that is such a lame excuse. Maybe then I should let my kids play Shoot 'Em Up games, it's not real ****ing after all, is it?

I agree that parents are responsible to monitor the content their kids are exposed to but companies should share that responsibility and not make it harder for us to protect our kids.

[suewright123]

I agree it's so annoying! Every few minuites it pops up.

[kitthecat]

I agree it's so annoying! Every few minuites it pops up.

I think a lot of ppl can see the reason of these pop-up. It is not only a hard-sell technique to force players to download it, just to make the pop-up disappear (even u delete it later, its place at the AppStore's "most download game" will go up), it's another gem trap. I lost few gems b'cos of this stupid pop-up. :(

[trace35]

Disappointing response TL. First of all hiding behind a loophole in the law is sliding on your belly kind of stuff and does not make it even close to being ok! Second, unless your age restriction is 18 ( which I'm pretty sure it's not) then u r mistaken in saying that underage people do not have access to this add or game. I live in new Zealand where our gambling laws are much looser than in the states but even so this example has already been picked up by our media and watchdogs. Watch this space!

[NOIZmaker]

Even after closing the Slots ad which pops up like every 5 minutes... you still have to deal with the updates pop up, rate me pop up, and featured item pop-up.
People are totally capable of opening the design tab themselves. We don't need such excess advertising. Once a day maybe.. AT THE MOST.

And I agree, the Slots ad is inappropriate and is promoting gambling for those who are underage. I know TL is greedy but this? TL is a monster for money.
Despite ALL these complaints, TL decides to ignore the most agitating problems. Nothing is about customer service or for the players. Everything is for the money.

Frankly, I would LOVE it if all the ads just stopped completely. But this game is still a business to TL so I respect that BUT all the players are asking is that they tone it down.
Is it so hard to make the ads come once or twice a day instead of every 5-10 minutes?
Is it really such a hassle to ad a confirmation pop-up when players accidentally purchase something?

Players just want to play the game without getting annoyed because games shouldn't irritate people. Games are supposed to be fun.
But TL, your games are not fun anymore. There's way too much going on that we can't play it properly anymore.
How are people supposed to be play when you bombard them with needless advertisement?

These complaints and pleads have been going on for too long. It's about time TL listens to what we have to say.

[asadaliz]

Like other games, teamlava should also use the ads only for free users. once you buy gems there should be no ads !! its very annoying.. You pay alot of money and still you see all those games ads. If I hit once the cancel, why it should appear again and again each time I open bakery ?

[mimisarah]

Is "gambling games" or simulated "gambling" games alowed for kids over 14 years old in the USA?? Where I live is not until past 18 years old. I belive TL games are for "14 years and up" or so I read on this web site.....I am confused???? Last time I lived in USA and I was under 18 I could not even smell a casino or any place with slots machine (not even on a cruise boat) .plus I had too be 21 for alcohol.....I travel veeeery often and I belive (nop I am sure) it is the same......maybe it does not apply for "web world"???? LOL.....

[LCAHEARTS]

Is "gambling games" or simulated "gambling" games alowed for kids over 14 years old in the USA?? Where I live is not until past 18 years old. I belive TL games are for "14 years and up" or so I read on this web site.....I am confused???? Last time I lived in USA and I was under 18 I could not even smell a casino or any place with slots machine (not even on a cruise boat) .plus I had too be 21 for alcohol.....I travel veeeery often and I belive (nop I am sure) it is the same......maybe it does not apply for "web world"???? LOL.....

You're highly correct. Most casinos require you to be 21 or older [not 18] because there is alcohol and they like to only have to ID you once. Some states have specific gambling laws when it comes to gaming, but none of them as far as I know/have research say it's okay to do what TL is doing. Enough of us just need to start reporting away.

[tobyscientist]

I just spent about half an hour trying to find where it says that players of these games are supposed to be 14 or over. I finally found it buried away in a link down the bottom. But that is after getting the app from the Australian app store, where it is listed as being suitable for ages 4+. So I don't think TL is making it clear that these Story games are not intended for children. I think they are targeted at children and that TL is covering themselves legally by having the TOS hidden away somewhere. They are full of cute characters, animals, furniture and a range of other cute and cuddly things. And as a parent I think they are positive games for children - children have to cooperate, save, be generous, tip, plan, and use their literacy and numeracy s****s. I, my husband, and three of our children playing either bakery story or restaurant story, and we now find ourselves considering stopping because of gaming ads that are inappropriate, shameless, and opportunistic. Please TL just offer a paid version of the app that is ad-free. You will certainly get more money from this family than you would otherwise as we have never paid for gems and never will. But we would happily pay for an ad free app.

[hornhonker]

So is anyone from Team Lava senior management actually reading these posts? All we have so far repeated back to us is a weak, evasive and basically dismissive response from TL representatives stating that all players should be 14 years or older - which apparently is in some Terms of Service document that is buried away on their website somewhere, and which is NOT conveyed to any potential player at the point of app download, which would be the logical place to do it.

All this is a distraction from the real point, which is that all the games in the X Story series are clearly aimed at younger players (arguing the toss over whether they should be 7 or 14 or 18 is moot) and that saturation advertising of a gaming application is HIGHLY inappropriate. I have spoke to our local Consumer Advocate organisation here in Australia, as well as our state Department of Consumer Affairs, and they both agree that TL is in clear breach of a number of consumer laws here, and needs to smarten up its act promptly.

So TeamLava management, over to you. What's your response going to be? Are you going to continue this path that will result in a lose-lose-lose outcome for players, TL and advertisers, or admit that this was a poor decision and 1) immediately remove the gaming ads and 2) stop the new practice of repeated ads popping up at random during play that make the game so unenjoyable to play?

Thankyou.

[mingboo]

So is anyone from Team Lava senior management actually reading these posts? All we have so far repeated back to us is a weak, evasive and basically dismissive response from TL representatives stating that all players should be 14 years or older - which apparently is in some Terms of Service document that is buried away on their website somewhere, and which is NOT conveyed to any potential player at the point of app download, which would be the logical place to do it.

All this is a distraction from the real point, which is that all the games in the X Story series are clearly aimed at younger players (arguing the toss over whether they should be 7 or 14 or 18 is moot) and that saturation advertising of a gaming application is HIGHLY inappropriate. I have spoke to our local Consumer Advocate organisation here in Australia, as well as our state Department of Consumer Affairs, and they both agree that TL is in clear breach of a number of consumer laws here, and needs to smarten up its act promptly.

So TeamLava management, over to you. What's your response going to be? Are you going to continue this path that will result in a lose-lose-lose outcome for players, TL and advertisers, or admit that this was a poor decision and 1) immediately remove the gaming ads and 2) stop the new practice of repeated ads popping up at random during play that make the game so unenjoyable to play?

Thankyou.

are you saying that if TL refuse to change their stance, then we will not be able to play any TL games in the land down under???

[LCAHEARTS]

are you saying that if TL refuse to change their stance, then we will not be able to play any TL games in the land down under???

I'd assume so. As in, officials in Australia if brought to their attention on a big scale, could prohibit the game somehow. Or they could take the easier route and publish their findings with Apple/Other app markets who would take it from there. I'm in the USA. I spoke to local officials [actually, one is a state official] and was told something very similar. In fact I was told that I need to report the violations I've observed along with my screen shots [which I had to bring with me to talk to them to begin with] within 30 days if TL has not taken action. I think that's what the funny part is for me....TL doesn't even realize the lawful issue here. They think they can just shove us over to their TOS but that doesn't match their app, or their affiliates app. My job allows me to easily get a hold of these officials, it didn't take much for me to get a quick 5 minutes. They read that particular TOS part TL is so excited to put out there...I can't quote their words as meetings are confidential...but lets just say for them that was the nail on the coffin.

I do think it's important for TL to at least look into things and give us a clearer explanation. This reminds me a lot of the food quantity change months ago and the outrage that became. It took forever for TL to care enough to fix it. I sadly don't have forever to give them, I have 25 days and counting.

[sweetsucess]

I'd assume so. As in, officials in Australia if brought to their attention on a big scale, could prohibit the game somehow. Or they could take the easier route and publish their findings with Apple/Other app markets who would take it from there. I'm in the USA. I spoke to local officials [actually, one is a state official] and was told something very similar. In fact I was told that I need to report the violations I've observed along with my screen shots [which I had to bring with me to talk to them to begin with] within 30 days if TL has not taken action. I think that's what the funny part is for me....TL doesn't even realize the lawful issue here. They think they can just shove us over to their TOS but that doesn't match their app, or their affiliates app. My job allows me to easily get a hold of these officials, it didn't take much for me to get a quick 5 minutes. They read that particular TOS part TL is so excited to put out there...I can't quote their words as meetings are confidential...but lets just say for them that was the nail on the coffin.

I do think it's important for TL to at least look into things and give us a clearer explanation. This reminds me a lot of the food quantity change months ago and the outrage that became. It took forever for TL to care enough to fix it. I sadly don't have forever to give them, I have 25 days and counting.

Why to go and power to the people. I don't know who I should contact to file a complaint. I did send an email to the BBB.

[Rachael98]

All App Store ratings are 4+. This is based on in-game content, not Terms of Service.
The ToS can be found here (www.TeamLava.com/terms).
A link is clearly displayed on the TeamLava Website (www.teamlava.com), and a link to the website clearly displayed at the bottom of the App Store page - with the developer's name.

With regards to the actual game...



A word about Slots: it's made by Shark Party, LLC and although they haven't announced anything yet, I believe it's actually a Storm8 company - so they're just advertising their own new game.
If you want proof, their Terms of Service (www.sharkparty.com/terms) and TL's Terms of Service (www.teamlava.com/terms) are suspiciously similar.
Their Forums are also set up similarly using vB.
I wasn't planning to say anything until it was announced by them, but I wanted to point out that they probably don't have a Shark Party contract with themselves, and probably don't make money from advertising their own product.

[bobbyrae]

Well the ads are gone from my game now, so they are listening. Thanks TL.

[Rachael98]

Well the ads are gone from my game now, so they are listening. Thanks TL.

Awesome. I'm just playing the game (I actually like it!)

[hornhonker]

Yep, they have now finally gone (thank goodness) on our four iDevices here. You need to ensure you reload the app, otherwise the Slots adware will persist.

Just double-tap your home button, hold your finger on the Restaurant icon until it wobbles, then press the red X in the corner. Press the home button to exit again. Launch the app as per normal. Bingo, your Slots {} is gone! Another massive bonus is that those really annoying ads that popped up in the middle of play have gone too. The games become playable once more.

Not sure if this is TL finally listening to their customers, or the week-long deal with Shark Party expiring, but if it's the former, thankyou TL.

Regardless of the reason, please TL don't ever do this again - you have seen the amount of player revolt this has caused and this will happen again with the same level of passion should there be a reoccurance.


HornHonker.

[scarletlocs]

Yeah the AD is gone. It was annoying and it's nice to know TL listens to us. Please send goals. I'm getting bored.

[Rachael98]

Yeah the AD is gone. It was annoying and it's nice to know TL listens to us. Please send goals. I'm getting bored.

Yay, thanks. Now do this.:p

[Sweeties234]

I just get frustrated with all the ads.... Its annoying and tends to lock up my old I-pod when they come up and I X out of them. My I-pod screen is so small and to have a banner add taking up a good portion of it and Posters for other games is just plain annoying... several times I've tried to x out of the ad and downloaded them by accident - and now I cant erase them without spending extra time on Iitunes store.... Agh-the frustrations of running a bakery!!!

[DAmanding]

When you're on your ipod's home screen (the one with all the app icons) click and hold an app you want to delete for a couple of seconds. The icon will then wiggle and have an X in the upper corner. Click the X and it will ask if you want to delete the app. It takes just a few seconds. No need to get on itunes. :)

[czarboy]

I am not a prude but I was shocked when I saw a 30 second add for a slots game for adults on a game that many children play. The other 30 second ads are annoying but this one is clearly over the line. I'm glad to see that it was removed and I hope TL is taken to task!!!