온라인 웹보드게임 규제정책과 형사처벌의 한계

Abstract

The nature of speculative or gamble of Web board game is a controversial issue in online game industry. Web board game is chance game or gambling style game such as Gostop or Poker game operated in online. But this game is criticized because it encourages a spirit of gambling and speculation. Therefore there are some policies of regulation on this game that are administrative guideline of government and game industry promotion act and game rating system. Although this policies have an intention of preventing speculative games, web board game is not regarded as gamble or speculative game. Because web board game providers never change game money into real money, exchange exists outside of game system. The key point of speculation is prize(output) from the game. Recently government expressed pre-announcement of legislation that aims to prevent encouraging a spirit of speculation in web board game industries. This regulation asks for web board providers to follow the provisions of enforcement ordinance of game industry promotion act. But it is very difficult for them to obey the provisions, because economical impact is too strong and they could not accept the perception that web board game is regarded as game. I think, it would be reasonable to resolve the problem of web board game in game rating system and government must endeavor to provide self-regulation guidelines in cooperation with web board game industry.