The UK’s Office of Fair Trading has launched an investigation to find out whether some free web-based games and mobile applications for children are breaking the law.

It’s particularly concerned that games may include a ‘direct exhortation’ encouraging children to make a purchase or persuade their parents to buy advertised products for them, as this is illegal under consumer protection regulations.

Multimedia business Rovio Entertainment, best known for creating the Angry Birds mobile game, has announced its financial results for 2012.

Revenue for the year was up 101% from 2011, reaching €152.2 million (£129 million).

Can mobile devices be used for game-based learning as part of the school curriculum?

This discussion was recorded in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress 2013 as part of Heroes of the Mobile Fringe. The panel was moderated by Russell Buckley with contributions from Vincent Hoogsteder of Distimo, Volker Hirsch of BlackBerry and Alina Vandenberghe of Pearson.

Affiliate marketing specialist Tradedoubler has launched an application-only affiliate program with betting and gaming site Winner.com.

It’s described as the sector’s first app-only affiliate programme and will offer commission payments to affiliates who encourage users to download and use the ‘Slots Farm’ app.

Gamers using tablet devices are expected to spend $3.03 billion (£1.98 billion) on in-app purchases in 2016, more than ten times last year’s estimated total of $301 million.

The figures come from a new report published by Juniper Research, which says the increase will be driven by the rapid adoption of tablets and the growing acceptance of in-game purchasing.