The Gacha side of Second Life

What is Gacha?

In the real world, gacha comes from the Japanese word for toy vending machines: gachapon. Put in a quarter, get stickers, or a ball, etc. 

In Second Life, it's pretty much the same thing.  You pay a vendor display or machine (they vary depending on how the seller sets it up) and get an item from a random selection that the machine has been loaded with. These items are no copy and transfer, meaning you only get one, but you can resell it or give it to others. 

A sample gacha key by Raindale

Participating vendors tend to make them in themed sets, some of which become limited edition. Some of the items in the set are rarer than others. The items are whatever they want to make: clothing, home decor, houses, polish for your nails, etc. Prices range from 25L to 100L for each 'pull' of the machine.

Is it legal?

Back in 2021, randomized gacha machines were banned in Second Life due to gambling laws in certain countries, but machines that displayed what you were about to receive were still allowed. Usually they display the next three items. These machines have a variety of names, like NextUp and Miepon, but are still considered 'gacha' by players. 

Some gacha machines that tell you what you will get - at Concept

The ban was lifted in 2025, and vendors could choose whether they wanted to return to the mystery style or keep the ones that revealed what you would get. 

Some people love it, some people hate it, some people used to love it but got burnt out; a few vendors rage quit when the ban went into effect.  It was an emotional time, so you may encounter people who have FEELINGS about them. 

Where can I find them?

Machines can be found in stores that make them. Some devote their whole inventory to gacha, others use it as a bit of a side gig to showcase their style, advertise, or for fun. Check your favorite shops to see what they have!

There were also gacha events, where vendors set out brand new gacha sets, such as The Arcade and Bella Pointe's The Gacha Garden, but neither seem to be open at the moment. Keep an eye out for future events, just in case.

Resale

A vendor stall at Epic Gacha Market

There is a very big resale market in gacha items, and a whole category in Marketplace dedicated to them. Not everyone lists them there, so don't limit your search to the one section. 

Resale prices will vary WILDLY. I've seen the same item for sale at 35L and 500L at the same market by different vendors, so don't be dismayed by some of the prices you may see.  Once you get an item's name, you can do some comparison shopping at other resale shops and on Marketplace. (I think some resellers enjoy making their shops look interesting more than selling items.)

There are a number of large markets in-world where you can rent shops or stalls and resell your own collection. They come and go, but some of the longest running ones are The Yard Sale, Gacha Shack, Garden of Fallen Angels, and Gacha Fever.  To find more, do a place search inworld for gacha, yardsale, resale, and similar. 

The nice thing about renting booths from these places is you don't have to do as much advertising for them - people come to shop and check out other nearby shops while they're there. I open a resale shop on my own property when I have the time, space and enough extras in my collection to fill one. Since I do a lot of photography, I will buy decor for those photos and then sell them again when I no longer need them. I like to believe that it helps keep the clutter down in my inventory, but I know I'm just lying to myself. 

There are also a number of gacha related groups, like GS Gacha Trade & Sale and Peace, Love & Gachas. These are mostly for advertising shops, but there are others where you ask for specific items you're looking for.

A Few More Notes:

Take your purchase!

'New' gacha items from the machine will be delivered directly to your inventory.  However, when you buy a 'used' gacha inworld, you are transferring ownership.  The item will stay rezzed on the ground and not deliver a copy to your inventory.  Be sure to right click on the item and select 'take' when shopping. 

Don't Delete!

Never ever hit delete when redecorating, always take that item so it goes back in your inventory. There is only one copy!

Rezz Spot

Even if you're buying something wearable, you may need to find a place where you can rezz and open your box. 

Links are accurate as of April, 2026.