Redemption games may be unwittingly suppressed by a new regulation passed in Florida this week.
Ticket redemption in arcades, family entertainment centres, cafes and bowling centres may be dragged into the measures designed to curb the growth of what is known as “sweepstakes games”, a loophole in the US laws.
A scandal in Florida which concerned a veteran’s charity operating illegal gambling through sweepstakes games has led to the new measure but, in doing so, the lawmakers have taken the opportunity to define what is legal and what is not.
Amusement redemption games must in future pay out only on the attainment of certain levels of skill and have a prize limit of 75 cents per game. They will also only be permitted in arcades with more than 50 games, or in truck stops.
Industry representatives in Florida insist that the new regulations are targeted only at gambling-style devices and sweepstakes machines and not at bona fide arcades and FECs.
