Frequently Asked Questions

A performance-based competitive game is one in which outcomes are determined primarily by player decisions and execution rather than by chance. In legal and regulatory contexts, these competitions are often described as bona fide contests of skill. A common statutory formulation refers to a “bona fide contest of skill, speed, strength, or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or the owners of entries.”

Most people are familiar with prizes awarded in performance-based contests from carnival or county fair games — for example, the “Ring Toss” (tossing rings around targets), the “Balloon Pop” (popping balloons with darts), or the “High Striker” (hitting a target with a sledgehammer). In each case a player pays to enter a game that requires execution and can win a prize based on performance.

High-profile examples of cash-prize performance-based contests include the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour, competitive chess tournaments, and esports events such as “The International” for Dota 2, the “Fortnite World Cup Finals,” and the “League of Legends World Championship.”

Today, performance-based competitions with cash prizes are available through major platforms including those distributed via Apple and Google. It is only recently that these contest models have become common in real-time multiplayer games for recreational players.

Paying to enter and winning prizes in a performance-based contest is not generally treated the same as gambling in many US states and other jurisdictions. That is why a carnival operator can award a giant teddy bear to the winner of Balloon Pop and why first-place finishers in major golf or esports tournaments can receive substantial prizes.

A common legal definition of gambling requires three elements: (1) a prize, (2) paid consideration, and (3) an outcome determined by chance. A paid-entry competition is not generally treated as gambling unless all three elements are present. For Eternel, the key issue is whether outcomes are driven by player performance rather than chance.

The Dominant Factor Test

This is the most common US state legal test. If player performance has the greater effect in determining a winner or score, the game can satisfy the test. Chess is the clearest example. Serpenta Battle Royale similarly relies on player actions: movement control, strategic positioning, boost timing, and combat decisions. No random number generator determines any player-versus-player encounter.

The Material Element Test

This is a more restrictive test used by a handful of states. It asks whether chance plays a significant or material role in determining the outcome. Games that pass the Material Element test also pass the Dominant Factor test. In Serpenta Battle Royale, all game physics are deterministic — collisions are resolved by speed, boost status, and size (not dice rolls or random events), and zone mechanics apply equally to all players.

Eternel tracks and restricts paid tournament access in jurisdictions where the game may not meet applicable legal tests.

Eternel Games operates a digital platform that provides:

• Real-time multiplayer competitive tournament hosting
• Player matching and lobby management
• Legal compliance and jurisdiction verification
• Anti-cheating detection and fair play enforcement
• Player account management and balance tracking
• Tournament design with transparent prize structures
• Free practice modes for learning

Currently, Eternel offers Serpenta Battle Royale — a real-time multiplayer snake tournament where 4–12 players compete in a shrinking arena. The top 3 finishers share the prize pool. See our Game Rules for full details.

Eternel applies a rigorous screening and ongoing compliance review to ensure that its games meet applicable legal standards. The following are key factors we evaluate:

• Are outcomes determined by player actions? In Serpenta Battle Royale, every outcome — survival, elimination, and final placement — is determined by the player’s real-time inputs: steering direction, boost timing, positioning relative to other players, and zone management.
• Are there elements of chance in scoring? No. Score is a direct function of the player’s carrying value: their initial entry fee plus the value of food collected from eliminating other players. There are no random score multipliers or variable point values.
• Are collision outcomes deterministic? Yes. Head-on collisions are resolved by a fixed hierarchy: (1) boosting player wins over non-boosting, (2) if speeds differ, the faster player wins, (3) if speeds are equal, the larger player wins. No random number is generated.
• Does the format allow skilled players to consistently outperform? Yes. Statistical analysis of gameplay data shows that higher-rated players consistently achieve better placements and higher win rates over time, confirming that skill is the dominant factor.
• Are starting conditions fair? All players start with the same base stats. The shrinking zone applies equally to all players. Food spawns are distributed across the arena and are visible to all — collection requires proximity, which is a function of positioning skill.
• Is there a free practice mode? Yes. All players can practice in the Free tier at no cost, learning game mechanics against bot opponents before entering paid tournaments.
• Are rules clearly defined? Yes. Full game rules are published in our Game Rules page and Terms of Service.

After release, Eternel maintains an ongoing compliance review that includes tracking game updates for variances and the collection and analysis of gameplay data to ensure continued compliance with applicable legal tests.

Federal law in the United States does not broadly prohibit paid-entry performance-based tournaments. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is a key statute here. It restricts financial transactions associated with “betting or wagering” if the underlying activity is illegal where it is initiated or received.

Where Eternel offers competitions only in jurisdictions that treat them as performance-based contests rather than gambling, those activities are generally understood to fall outside UIGEA’s gambling-payment restrictions.

There is no federal prohibition applicable to Eternel games as long as the player’s activity is legal in the state or jurisdiction where it originates and where the prize is received. Eternel staff dedicate significant time to tracking changes in legal status and ensuring that players are located in proper jurisdictions.

The legality of paid performance-based competitions in the United States is determined at the state level. Eternel has taken extensive measures to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws.

Paid-entry tournaments are currently not available in the following US states and territories:

We continue to track changes in law and compliance requirements to offer paid-entry tournaments in additional jurisdictions where allowed.

Eternel is a globally accessible platform. Users from any country can create an account, play free practice games, deposit funds, and withdraw winnings. However, to enter paid tournaments, a player must be physically located in a jurisdiction where those competitions are permitted.

The Platform enforces this through real-time geo-fencing at the point of paid tournament entry:

• GPS verification — Device-level GPS data confirms the player’s physical location before allowing entry into any paid tournament.
• IP geolocation — IP address data is cross-referenced with GPS to detect discrepancies.
• VPN detection — We actively detect and block virtual private networks (VPNs), proxy servers, and GPS spoofing tools. Players using these tools will be unable to enter paid tournaments and may face account sanctions.
• Free practice mode — Available to all users worldwide with no geographic restrictions, regardless of whether paid tournaments are available in their jurisdiction.
• Account management — Users can sign up, deposit, and withdraw from any location. Only paid tournament entry is geo-restricted.

Eternel takes the fairness of gameplay very seriously, both for creating a great experience and for compliance purposes. Our fairness measures include:

• Anti-cheat systems — We use technology to detect and prevent unauthorized software, automation, scripts, and other cheating tools.
• Anti-collusion detection — Automated behavioral analysis identifies teaming, feeding, and coordinated play in solo tournaments.
• Published rules — Complete game rules are publicly available.
• Free practice — Players can learn the game at no cost in the Free tier before entering paid tournaments.
• Terms of Use enforcement — We take our Terms of Service seriously and ban players who violate them.
• No hidden information — All game state is visible to all players. There is no hidden advantage or asymmetric information.

For customer support related to tournaments or accounts: [email protected]

For legal, regulatory, and compliance inquiries: [email protected]