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| ZamIAm 604th Post
 
Red Carpet Regular Member
  
    
    
|  "Elaboration on Greek Game Ban's Law"
, posted Fri 6 Sep 21:59
From DMG ICE a GB site...
September 2002
Greece. It's what's for dinner.
By now you have heard about that law that was passed in Greece that appears to ban videogames. Thanks to a translation from Gameland.gr and a little legal study, a "loophole" can be found in the law. Oh, one thing I found odd is that the law "LAW NUMBER 3037" was enacted on 30 July, 2002. However, we are only hearing about it now. Why is that? Because it doesn't truly affect video gamers if intepreted by letter of law. Let's look at Article 1, which defines game categories.
"According to notion of the commands of the current law:
a. Mechanical games are those, that depend on one's muscle force.
b. Electrical games are those, that depend on electrical mechanisms.
c. Electromechanical games are those that depend on electrical mechanisms and the use of one's muscle force.
d. Electronic games are those, that depend on both electrical-electronic mechanisms and software.
e. Entertainment technical games are those, whose result depends exclusively on the ability and skill of the player, and are used solely for entertainment.
The category (e) also includes all card games which had been characterised as "technical" games, according to the statement of law F.E.K A21."
So, technically, since it takes skill and ability to play a video game, it would count as being covered by D and by E in description. If you want to be more specific, games such as Dance Dance Revolution rely on muscle force to push buttons, as do many home consoles and hand held devices. This classifies them as category A as well. Let's look at the next article, which is Article 2.
"1. Operation and installation of any game of type (b), (c) and (d) of Article 1, including computer games, placed in public places such as hotels, cafeterias, organization halls and in any other public or private place, is prohibited.
2. Operation of games of type (e) is allowed in devices of type (a). Regarding these games, it is prohibited to place bets. Such bets will attract penalties described in Articles 4 and 5."
So, if you look at a video game as a part, it would be only covered by D and E; but since you push buttons and use muscle force to use one, it qualifies it as an A game and thereby makes it a legitimate entertainment device as long as no wagers are placed on the outcome of the game. In other words, don't bet on your Pokemon. As for the $75,000 fine that people mention? That's for owning a casino and the "tourist laws" are specifically geared at boats. This is similar to how pinball machines were made illegal in the USA; until the addition of "Flippers" by Harry Mabs in 1947. Which proved that they were based on SKILL and not luck. A gambling game is based on luck with a itemized pay-off. Since videogames are based on skill, require muscle force for operation and do not give physical, tangible, itemized pay-offs; then therefore they are not illegal as defined in article 2. With all the petitions and cacophony made by internet sites over this law; it's little wonder why people belive that video games rot the mind. So, simmer down and realise that, while confusing, this law isn't out to hurt video game players. So far, the only reported case to deal with it is going to court Sepetember 10th and involves two people who own an internet cafe. If they were doing electronic gambling with pay-outs, they'll probably get convicted. Although it strikes me as suspicious that the law became a "huge" issue after their arrests. In other words, I'm not signing a petition for a group of wanton McCarthyists and neither should you. Apparently, the law is meant to counter modified video game arcade cabinets that distribute pay-outs. Which the two internet cafe owners are accused of doing. So, if you want it in plainer terms, we have two people crying "Help! Help! I'm being opressed!" and we are expected to rush into action and help justify an alleged crime in hopes of undermining a law. -PAW/09/06/2002
"Might as well face it: You're addicted to love."
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| Genjuro
112th Post
Regular Customer
| "Re(2):Elaboration on Greek Game Ban's Law" , posted Sat 7 Sep 18:55
well,that sounds really great but let me tell you what's going on..
I live in greece and in the city I'm living right now(thessaloniki-2nd biggest in greece)
arcades are closing down one by one and net cafes no longer 'offer' online games to customers..
The law as you said has actually passed several months ago,it just begun to be enforced during summer..
It all began because of public outrage towards slot machines and people losing a lot of money over them and even a scandal with a politician involved.
Now,what the government decided to do was not just ban slot machines but also arcade games(no,they do not fit in the categories you described-I figure that out cause they are closing down every arcade).As far as net cafes go,I don't think it is 100% legal to have online games(they need a licence for that) but it's something that's been going on all over the world..As for closing down arcades,it is simply ridiculous!
And apart from laws and regulations,what the government is telling us is this:"games are bad for you,they rot your mind,do not play them"..What I'd like to see is the media doing something to help with this issue-it was them after all who blew the whole slot machine thing up so much..
 "What a waste... ...of time..."
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| Holiday 1409th Post
Red Carpet Executive Member
    
 
| "Re(3):Elaboration on Greek Game Ban's Law" , posted Sat 7 Sep 19:51
Hmm, you know what? Malaysia also has a ban on video games, but it's limited only to "traditional" arcade cabinets.
IIRC, stuff like DDR, sport sims, simulators, light gun games etc are allowed.
I think the ban took effect last year? I could rememeber the local newspaper showing a pic of a bulldozer squishing a mountain of arcade cabinets >_<
And it all started with gambling arcade cabinets, and arcades were blamed for being a bad influence on schoolkids :p
Ah, but the enforcement isn't as strict as before, and you can find even recent stuff if you know where to look ^^
Ohoho, I found a link:
 BBC news
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"Re(1):Elaboration on Greek Game Ban's Law" 