What are their intent? Ultimately to make money of course. Some I get, like sports betting. Although I do think it is all predatory. But others like fantasy(non sports) apps that advertise on TV and others say "play for free". Is this just a data collecting scheme?

There are also apps for simulated casino games that say "play for free" too.

It seems like these are "bait" apps that get you sucked into you giving your personal information for sale, and or to get you sucked into a pay service.

(November 12, 2021 at 11:58 am)Brian37 Wrote: What are their intent? Ultimately to make money of course. Some I get, like sports betting. Although I do think it is all predatory. But others like fantasy(non sports) apps that advertise on TV and others say "play for free". Is this just a data collecting scheme?

There are also apps for simulated casino games that say "play for free" too.

It seems like these are "bait" apps that get you sucked into you giving your personal information for sale, and or to get you sucked into a pay service.

There wouldn’t be cons if people weren’t natural marks.

Boru

(November 12, 2021 at 11:58 am)Brian37 Wrote: What are their intent? Ultimately to make money of course. Some I get, like sports betting. Although I do think it is all predatory. But others like fantasy(non sports) apps that advertise on TV and others say "play for free". Is this just a data collecting scheme?

There are also apps for simulated casino games that say "play for free" too.

It seems like these are "bait" apps that get you sucked into you giving your personal information for sale, and or to get you sucked into a pay service.

Those games often include in-game items or "game money" that can be purchased. Most of those games are designed so that you can play for free, but in order to really be successful in the game, you have to make a lot of in-app purchases.

(November 12, 2021 at 12:48 pm)Angrboda Wrote:

(November 12, 2021 at 11:58 am)Brian37 Wrote: What are their intent? Ultimately to make money of course. Some I get, like sports betting. Although I do think it is all predatory. But others like fantasy(non sports) apps that advertise on TV and others say "play for free". Is this just a data collecting scheme?

There are also apps for simulated casino games that say "play for free" too.

It seems like these are "bait" apps that get you sucked into you giving your personal information for sale, and or to get you sucked into a pay service.

Those games often include in-game items or "game money" that can be purchased.  Most of those games are designed so that you can play for free, but in order to really be successful in the game, you have to make a lot of in-app purchases.

Right. It is no different than drug dealer, they off you a "free sample" but that is never enough and the carpet bomb the neighborhood knowing many will not stick to the free version. 

It is predatory marketing.

(November 12, 2021 at 12:55 pm)Brian37 Wrote:

(November 12, 2021 at 12:48 pm)Angrboda Wrote: Those games often include in-game items or "game money" that can be purchased.  Most of those games are designed so that you can play for free, but in order to really be successful in the game, you have to make a lot of in-app purchases.

Right. It is no different than drug dealer, they off you a "free sample" but that is never enough and the carpet bomb the neighborhood knowing many will not stick to the free version. 

It is predatory marketing.

Predators require prey. If people weren’t by and large stupid, greedy and gullible, scams like these wouldn’t exist. 

Boru

(November 12, 2021 at 1:08 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(November 12, 2021 at 12:55 pm)Brian37 Wrote: Right. It is no different than drug dealer, they off you a "free sample" but that is never enough and the carpet bomb the neighborhood knowing many will not stick to the free version. 

It is predatory marketing.

Predators require prey. If people weren’t by and large stupid, greedy and gullible, scams like these wouldn’t exist. 

Boru

Regardless, still not good for the economy long term. The investors in such companies make a mint for sure. But if all the top does is exploit for profit, then more and more people end up addicts and that ends up costing everyone long term.

(November 12, 2021 at 1:55 pm)Brian37 Wrote:

(November 12, 2021 at 1:08 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: Predators require prey. If people weren’t by and large stupid, greedy and gullible, scams like these wouldn’t exist. 

Boru

Regardless, still not good for the economy long term. The investors in such companies make a mint for sure. But if all the top does is exploit for profit, then more and more people end up addicts and that ends up costing everyone long term.

I never said it was a good thing. If critical thinking and basic statistics were drummed into people at a young enough age, this sort of thing would be minimized.

Another thing that would help would be free treatment for gambling addiction.

Boru