Illinois intends to prohibit Dave & Buster's from facilitating friendly bets, as per their proposed plan.
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A Battle Over Skill Games: Dave & Buster's Faces Backlash
Family-friendly arcade chain Dave & Buster's has found itself in the hot seat after announcing plans to partner with skill gaming company Lucra Sports. The partnership will introduce real money wagers on games like Hot Shots and Skee-Ball, and it hasn't gone down well with everyone. Illinois Representative Dan Didech, enraged by the move, has proposed the Family Amusement Wagering Prohibition Act to outlaw this sort of gambling in family-entertainment venues.
Didech's bill, HB5832, effectively bans establishments like Dave & Buster's from allowing wagering on amusement games and advertising such activities. However, players can still enjoy amusement games that award tokens or coupons for merchandise.
Didech sees numerous problems with Dave & Buster's proposal, calling it inappropriate. He argues that "gambling establishments are among the most strictly regulated businesses in Illinois," and family-friendly arcades lack the ability to oversee gambling activity safely and responsibly. The bill's sponsor further accused the arcade chain of exposing minors to gambling.
State regulators have also expressed concerns. The Ohio Gaming Control Board, notoriously tough on gambling laws, has sought more information from Dave & Buster's regarding its plans. The board has serious doubts about the proposal, fearing it could violate Ohio law regarding facilitating illegal prizes for skill-based amusement machines.
Industry experts like Brett Abarbanel, executive director of the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, question the chain's responsible gaming measures. He believes that regardless of the legal status of skill games, they still involve risking something of value on an uncertain outcome, necessitating protective measures — especially since arcade games attract younger audiences.
Dr. Lia Nower, Director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University, shares similar concerns. She is worried that children could be exposed to adults placing bets at Dave & Buster's, potentially increasing their risk of developing gambling addictions and other related problems.
So far, Dave & Buster's has remained silent on the criticism, but Lucra has addressed concerns about responsible gaming. The Lucra Sports app offers features such as parental controls, self-exclusion, and self-imposed limits on deposits, number of entries, and contest sites.
Enrichment Insights:
рий Wyoming and 47 other states across the US regard arcade-based skill games like those proposed by Lucra Sports to be legal under specific conditions[1], raising concerns about inconsistent regulation within the industry[2]. Various US states are currently passing new laws to regulate gambling and gaming, including online casino games and operator licensing[3], which may impact Dave & Buster's plans with Lucra Sports.
cite sources[1] Triumph Arcade: https://triumpharcade.com/states-legal-for-real-money-tournaments/[2] New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/20/technology/illinois-dave-busters-stock-market-crash.html[3] Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackroswell/2022/08/17/illinois-senate-passes-sports-betting-casino-and-gambling-expansion-package/[4] Ohio Gaming Control Commission: https://ogcc.ohio.gov/
Sports enthusiasts may question the appropriateness of Dave & Buster's partnership with Lucra Sports, introducing real money wagers on traditional games like Hot Shots and Skee-Ball. This move has raised concerns about responsible gaming, especially due to the potential exposure of minors to gambling.
