Mark Zuckerberg's company has found a way to bypass online gambling regulations: using virtual coins with no real value. While millions of users interact with chance and reward mechanics, the company washes its hands by arguing that no money is involved. The problem is that addictive behavior is trained just the same.
How the gambling simulator works in your feed 🎰
Meta's algorithms apply intermittent reinforcement, the same psychological technique used by slot machines. The user receives virtual rewards at unpredictable moments, generating dopamine spikes. Even without financial transactions, the neurological pattern is identical to real gambling. The only difference is that the house never loses, because points are generated from a server at no cost to the company.
The hypocrisy patch: worthless points 💸
Meta could label these experiences for what they are: gambling simulators. But it prefers to call them social games to avoid funding prevention campaigns. It's like selling syringe kits and calling them craft kits. The next time your friend loses 500 euros at a betting house, remember that Meta showed them the way with its fictitious points. All for free, until it isn't.