Gaming YouTuber changes plea to guilty in Fifa gambling case
A YouTuber and his business partner have plead guilty of encouraging people to bet on videogame Fifa using a virtual currency.
Gaming YouTubers change plea to guilty in Fifa gambling case
Craig Douglas, who runs a YouTube channel under the pseudonym Nepenthez and Dylan Rigby, who helped Douglas run now defunct website FutGalaxy, had previously entered a not guilty plea.
FutGalaxy let players transfer virtual currencies from Fifa 17 and use it to bet on real-world football games. Douglas promoted the website to his 1.3 million YouTube channel subscribers without disclosure.
He has admitted a charge of being an officer of a firm that provided facilities for gambling without an operating licence, and a further offence relating to the advertising of unlawful gambling," according to the BBC.
Meanwhile, Rigby has admitted to two charges connected to the provision of gambling facilities and a further offence linked to advertising illegal gambling.
The duo were charged last year in what is believed to be the first prosecution involving video games and 'skin betting' and comes as the UK government continues its review into gambling ads, betting machines and ticket touts.
The findings of the examination into the industry are due to be released in Spring, with culture secretary Karen Bradley signaling last year potential plans to clamp down on TV betting ads.
Douglas and Rigby are yet to be sentenced, and as per the Gambling Act 2005 they could face up to 51 weeks in prison or be forced to pay between £1,000 to £5,000 for each charge.
NepentheZ, who has still been active on YouTube since last year, thanked his fans for their support throughout the trial.
Hey bros. just want to say a big thanks for the messages of support. Until we meet again.
— NepentheZ (@NepentheZ) February 6, 2017
Last year the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) warned marketers it was prepared to hone in on social media campaigns that mislead consumers, while the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA) launched a template contract for brands working with social talent.