The prize redemption counter at the All-Star Music is already gone, with redemption counters slated for removal at the Contemporary, All-Star Sports, Pop Century and Art of Animation. The Tomorrowland Arcade in the Magic Kingdom is closing entirely on Feb. 8. At the resorts, the arcades might remain, though guests will no longer be able to play for prizes.
Why is Disney doing this? That's the big question. If you're not living in Florida, you might not be aware that there's been a big stink in the state over the use of "Internet cafes" that have essentially been operating as illegal casinos. In response to that, the state enacted a law in 2013 that outlawed unauthorized games of chance. Trouble is... the way the law was phrased has led some to believe that the statute now makes arcade prizes illegal, too. The arcade industry has been trying to challenge the law, which it claims could make restaurants such as Chuck E. Cheese and Dave and Busters illegal.
Granted, arcade prizes are not a core part of Disney's business, the way that they are for Dave and Buster's, so perhaps Disney's just using this an excuse to cut some expenses that probably won't cause a loss of business in return.
What do you think?
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While I don't personally have a problem with the games, I can't believe they get that much business in a place like Disney or Universal. After parents have shelled out all their money on hotel rooms, park tickets, food and princess souvenirs, who has money left to plunk quarters (or dollars) into cheap toy machines? :-)
However, It is a form of gambling... and I'm not sure if we should be teaching kids how to gamble until they're really old enough to appreciate the risk/reward ratio right.
I didn't think it would turn into a hard question
I would be more concerned about Dave and Busters and Chuck E Cheese.
Nobody has ever interpreted FL laws strangely, have they :)
As a teenager my friends and I used to hang out at this huge arcade targeted towards older kids. It was a blast racking up tickets and spending them on cheap prizes.
I like to play game like those, especially when they are fun like shoot basketball or stacker.
I don't know, I guess when it really comes down to it, now days I am just indifferent on the situation.
So how do you construct a definition that will permit prize machines (which essentially still are gambling) but not provide the opportunity for cash gaming. A prize token isn't cash, sure, but it has value (as its redeemable. A casino chip isn't cash either but is also "redeemable"
Is this likely an unintended consequence, sure, but nailing that definition down and getting the legislative wording right is harder than you probably think.
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