Playing games and earning 'coins'
Question
In video games, there is a game currency, like coins etc. They aren't purchased with real world money and are basically just a gameplay mechanic which players get upon completing missions or games.
1. Is in game gambling using them considered gambling? For example, in many video games when two players fight, a specific amount of coins is on bet by both players, the winner gets all. Through the coins players may buy in game items like skins, power ups etc. Is it gambling?
2. In games there are many times mystery boxes or chests, which you open with in game coins and you may get anything from the game which you don't know before opening the box. So is it gambling too?
Answer
These types of games are not permissible where one will be resembling people who commit these major sins e.g. gambling, playing chess, etc.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Mufti Online — Madrasah Ta'leemuddeen. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.