real cash buys ingame virtual cash, gambling with ingame virtual cash = gambling with real cash, no matter how small, it's that simple, also the reason why Bawsaq will never go active Online.
as for the betting side, now that cash cards are active and available lets see how long it takes for R* to realise they could be breaking Gaming License laws in certain countries when the first parent makes a complaint or brings a lawsuit against them.
How on earth would any lawsuit win against a game that has "18" plastered on the front of the box? It's already covered.
Also, it's never "real" cash. you buy fake money, and there is never a real monetary return for your bets, so it would never fall under real gambling in any sensible court of law.
regardless of returns it still falls under Play for Fun Gambling Law if it's Online and the player has the ability to buy ingame cash with real money and gamble with the ingame cash, again regardless of how large or small it's still the ability to gamble with real money through cash card purchases.
as for the game rating yes outside the US it is 18, in the states however, the game is rated M for Mature and that means 17+, US gambling law is over 18 only.
GTA V ERSB rating http://www.esrb.org/...rtificate=33073
US Gambling Law age limits http://www.worldcasi...g_age_chart.htm
and yes, they can do whatever in single player because cash cards are not active for single player purchase, but I was discussing Online which is a whole different set of laws and rules regarding gambling,
just based on those 2 links, the Online game is currently breaking US law with regards to the betting system, and if lets say .......... Hilary Clinton decided to get her teeth into GTA again, just as the game stands Online with the current Online betting system and purchaseable cash cards, she would win this time with a lawsuit, especially if she highlights the dangers of gambling addictions and under age players using this game.
Edit: and no they can't just change the ERSB rating to Adult Only, because the game has already been sold to under 18's in the US.