Florida Aims to Legalize Arcades Encountering Fresh Challenges with Gambling Regulations
In a move aimed at revitalizing family amusement centers in Florida, a new bill, PCB 668, has been introduced by State Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland). The bill, which has been unanimously supported by the Senate Gaming Committee, seeks to exclude family amusement centers like Dave & Busters and Chuck E. Cheese from regulations that outlawed Internet cafes last year.
The bill's revisions concern the definitions used to declare machines as "amusements games," allowing machines in arcades, bowling alleys, hotels, restaurants, and truck stops to use tokens, cards, or other devices in addition to coins. The new bill increases the prize limit per game from $0.75 to $5.25 and allows prizes valued at up to $50 per player.
Senator Stargel has assured that the bill's target is not family arcades and that only true family establishments would qualify. Local police have been asked not to enforce the law against the arcades, and according to Senator Stargel, such venues could reopen if they follow the rules set forth in the bill.
However, gaming law expert Marc Dunbar has expressed concern that the bill could allow venues to operate "claw machines," which he believes could violate the state compact with the Seminole Tribe. Dunbar, who has been used as an expert on gaming matters by Florida legislators in the past, also pointed out that opening loopholes for amusement centers could encourage gambling operators to exploit those loopholes to legally operate some form of gaming.
The bill also aims to ensure the continuation of entertainment for children and adults in family amusement centers. This comes after Florida's vibrant grey market industry due to a lack of a regulator on top of its gaming code led to the unintentional banning of some regular arcades like Chuck E. Cheese last year.
Senator Maria Sachs asked if the bill would bring back the activation of stand-alone or strip mall arcades for older children. Some senators have also inquired about the impact of the bill on so-called senior arcades.
For detailed, up-to-date information on PCB 668 and its impact on family arcades in Florida, it is recommended to consult the official Florida Senate or House committee websites where PCB bills are published, recent legislative analysis or news coverage focused on arcade regulations in Florida, or direct government sources or local Florida regulatory agencies overseeing amusement arcades.
- The revisions in PCB 668 could potentially include casino-games such as claw machines within family amusement centers, a concern raised by gaming law expert, Marc Dunbar.
- Senator Maria Sachs has questioned if the bill would enable the return of stand-alone or strip mall arcades for older children.
- The bill's proponents hope that the changes will lead to the reopening of lotteries and casino-and-gambling establishments within hotels, restaurants, and truck stops, adhering to their policy-and-legislation guidelines.
