Dave & Busters, a US-based adult entertainment company, announced late in April that adult reward customers will be able to wager against one another in their arcades. But legislators and regulators began to voice concerns almost instantly.
On 2 May, Dan Didech filed the “Family Wagering Prohibition Act”, which is sponsored by his gaming committee. This bill prohibits “family amusement establishments” such as Dave & Buster’s from “facilitating wagering” on their games. It also forbids advertising. Didech currently has 36 cosponsors.
No hearing date is set for the bill. It’s in the rules committee. The deadlines for the session and crossover were 9 February, 19 April. Legislators often grant exceptions in special situations.
Learn more about OH and PA regulators
Didech is the only legislator who has filed legislation in response to Dave & Busters’ announcement. The issue is being examined by regulators in Ohio and Pennsylvania. PlayPennsylvania reports that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will educate themselves on Dave & Buster’s plan.
Ohio’s Casino Control Commission has also investigated the matter and informed at least one media outlet that the concept “appears in violation of Ohio law.” Ohio, along with Massachusetts, is known for its strict gambling regulations, including advertising to minors.
Dave & Busters, according to their website, has 140 stores in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Five of the company’s locations are in Illinois, while six others are in Ohio and 8 in Pennsylvania. Dave & Buster’s first store opened in Dallas, Texas in 1982. Texas has 15 locations, while California is the state with most.
Lucra, your gaming partner
Dave & Buster’s plan is to let loyalty members older than 18 years old bet with each other. Customers would be able use the Dave & Buster app to place real money in a peer-topeer betting system. Customers would wager on video games and arcades like Skeeball, Connect4Hoops, Billiards or Skeeball.
Dave & Buster’s has partnered with Lucra, a gamification company to develop the app. CNBC broke the news that Dave & Buster’s will cap the number of bets. Lucra claims that skills-based gaming is not regulated the same as casino or wagering gambling.
CNBC reported that Lucra’s CEO Dylan Robbins said the goal of his company is to “amplify and digitalise” gaming and social sport situations.
Illinois Didech doesn’t care about the finer points or splitting of hairs.
Didech, in an interview with Sports Handle, said that it was inappropriate for arcades focused on families to allow unregulated gambling to take place. These businesses are unable to supervise gambling activities in a responsible and safe manner.
