It started when McDonalds Australia included a Neopets plush toy with every kids' Happy Meal in Australia, directing kids to the Neopets website.To "feed" their pets, Neopets players have to win points in a variety of mini-games, including versions of poker and blackjack.
Australia has a high rate of gambling problems with poker machines ("pokies"), so when a mother discovered her nine-year-old playing online poker to feed his virtual pet, she approached Today Tonight claiming McDonalds was setting her son up for a life of gambling addiction.TT aired the story Parents not McHappy over pokie toy and the Neopets message boards went nuts.
Meanwhile McDonalds heavied Neopets into banning Australians from the gambling games. Today Tonight must have received a lot of hate mail because the next night came Neopet players fight McDonalds ban, featuring interviews with adult Neopets addicts. But this only increased the outrage on the Neopets boards - they're now trying to squash rumors of McDonalds withdrawing sponsorship altogether, and Neopets shutting down."
Via Slashdot
Grr. That parent person is so uncool. In my opinion. I’m sorry if you agree.
Lol, were you thinking I was for this hit on Neopets?? No way! I LOVE Neopets!! :love: I posted it because it is just so stupid how some people are so paranoid. :mad:
NP rocks. :bouncy:
Oh ok I was just making sure:wink: