Head of Russia’s State Duma Banking Committee, Anatoly Aksakov, has called for a ban on the Telegram game Hamster Kombat, labeling it as a potential scam.
Aksakov criticized the tap-to-earn game, suggesting it manipulates players’ minds and targets those seeking quick wealth through minimal effort.
In a recent interview, Aksakov criticized Hamster Kombat’s tactics, likening them to fraudulent schemes. He noted that the game’s additional tasks promising increased earnings and faster progression are common scam traits and assured that the State Duma will discuss the issue.
Aksakov said to local media, “Such things must be stopped. In my opinion, this is clearly a scam. Manipulation and use of the psychology of citizens. Especially those who do not really want to work, but dream that they can play with a minimum of effort and get rich.”
Hamster Kombat, launched on Telegram in March, is a crypto-based tap-to-earn game. It distributes in-game virtual HMSTR tokens as TON-based digital assets. However, market analyst Toghrul Aliyev has warned that HMSTR tokens might face significant volatility if trading starts, with initial sell orders possibly driving the price down sharply.
Aksakov’s remarks highlight a growing concern about the impact of such games on the public’s financial well-being. He noted that people have become increasingly susceptible to external influences, leading to potentially harmful consequences.
As Russian lawmakers prepare to address these concerns, the future of Hamster Kombat remains uncertain. If there is any connection between a game and potential fraud, the government will closely scrutinize it and its impact on users.
