Dave & Buster’s teases betting on Skee-Ball, arcade games; but Games Commission has “serious concerns”

With the legalization of sports betting in the Buckeye State, Dave & Buster’s recently released a bold new plan to potentially introducing betting on classic arcade games.

But some already have concerns with the plan.

According to a social media post made by Dave & Buster’s last week, the entertainment chain  is planning to let adults bet money on a variety of entrenched arcade games, including Skee-Ball, Hot Shot Basketball and more. 

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Dave & Buster’s is partnering with gaming software company Lucra, which helps facilitate betting, which it dubs “real-money contests,” in other games and sports,

According to Jessica Franks, the Director of Communications of the Ohio Games Commission, the Commission is not sure their plans are legal in the state of Ohio.

“The Commission has serious concerns about the proposal – including that it appears to violate Ohio law regarding the facilitating of illegal prizes for skill-based amusement machines,” Franks said. “We have reached out to Dave & Busters for additional information.”

Franks noted that crane/claw machines and arcade games and those found at family entertainment centers are considered “skill-based amusement games,” and that specific rules are in place about what types of prizes can be awarded through these games.

It’s currently unclear exactly how Dave & Buster’s will proceed, or what their supposed timeline for implementing arcade betting is.

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