Playing games and earning 'coins'

· 9 Rabiʻ I 1447 AH1 min readEnglish

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)
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

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