SC Business Under Fire for Offering Arcades Violating the Gaming Laws

Business owners in South Carolina are taking Dave & Buster’s to court, alleging that some of the machines it offered violated the state’s gambling laws. The plaintiffs seek restitution of the money players lost to these games.

South Carolina Organization Was Displeased with Dave & Buster’s Machines

The lawsuit was filed by SC Citizens For Equal Enforcement of Gambling Laws on April 15. According to the complaint, some of the machines at Dave & Buster’s locations were in breach of the South Carolina laws.

SC Citizens For Equal Enforcement of Gambling Laws represents business owners who believe that the state’s gambling laws are “selectively enforced.” While state authorities have raided some venues, seizing games and revoking liquor licenses, plaintiffs insisted that machines at certain Dave & Buster’s venues have not been subjected to the same treatment.

For context, South Carolina lawmakers have unsuccessfully tried to legalize certain skill-based video gaming products. As a result, such games, as long as they offer valuable rewards, are prohibited.

Jim Griffin of SC Citizens For Equal Enforcement of Gambling Laws said that the murky legality of certain gaming products has led to a “selective enforcement” of the laws. He said that he hopes that the current lawsuit will bring clarity and equality.

The Arcades Allow Players to Win Valuable Prizes

For context, Dave & Buster’s venues in South Carolina all have a dedicated arcade area called The Midway. There, players can enjoy various VR experiences, video games, and arcades. The Midway’s arcades award players with virtual tickets that they can exchange for various prizes, including electronics. In order to play, players need to use pre-loaded cards sold at the venues.  

According to SC Citizens For Equal Enforcement of Gambling Laws, these arcades violate the state gambling laws due to the fact that they can be redeemed for various prizes.

SC Citizens For Equal Enforcement of Gambling Laws cited previous cases in which similar products have been removed after offering valuable prizes to players. The organization now seeks to force Dave & Buster’s to make restitution to all players who lost more than $50.