NeoPets NeoGamblers NeoProblems - Training the young to gamble

After the recent success with the Bratzpack website, it has been brought to GG's attention another site which even more blatantly aims to train our young to gamble. Neopets.Com is the latest internet craze to capture the hearts and minds of children across the world.

This site includes a Luck/Chance section which contains games such as 'Brucey B Slots', 'Double or Nothing', 'Grarrl Keno', 'JubJub Blackjack', 'Krawps', 'Neopoker', 'Round Table Poker', 'Scorchy Slots' 'Neopian Lottery' and unfortunately many more.

This is the most audacious act of promoting gambling amongst young people that I have ever seen. To add fuel to the fire, according to Be Web Aware, Neopets has in the past encouraged users to sign up with gaming sites as part of the registration process. Be Web Aware in fact specifically warns parents against allowing their children to use the site.

Of course GG has been stirred into action and has written to the legal department of Neopets Inc. asking this content to be removed. It is expected that this is going to be a more difficult fight than that with the Bratzpack site.

We do have options however including targetting McDonalds Australia over its Neopets promotion. GG will keep the blog updated with developments.

When will companies learn that this can cause significant harm to children, and lay the foundation to a problem that could effect them for a lifetime?

GG