So apparently a mother of two is suing Chuck E. Cheese for $5 million dollars because she believes that its coins-to-win-tickets method is parallel to gambling, such as slots. I honestly don't agree with her on this. I mean, if you're taking your kids there so often and continually give them handfuls of change, I could see the kids developing problems (but that's based on the parenting). Besides, Chuck E. Cheese isn't the only place I know based on this gaming system, will those other kids' places have to be targeted too? Here's an article about it (yes, from AOL News, I didn't feel like finding it elsewhere): http://weirdnews.aol.com/2011/05/14/chuck-e-cheese-gambling_n_861785.html?ir=Food&icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl7|sec3_lnk3|63342 And the "Claw" thing, please have sense enough to be certain that the machine is rigged to make sure you lose at least 90% of the time (and let your kids know). Your thoughts? Agree, disagree?
At its basic elements it is gambling. We just sugar coat it. The thing is, this is really done more for fun than anything. Especially with those arcade games that don't even give you tickets no matter how good you do. As long as it's all about the fun and it isn't all about spending money to try and win some cheap prizes, it's all good. I remember sticking coin after coin in an arcade Jurrassic(sp?) Park game because I wanted to try and beat it. I barely cared about any prizes and wanted to have my share of fun. I'm not really sure what else to say. >> Basically, it's all fun and games since the parents are controlling the cash flow to the children. If the children somehow grow up to be addicted gamblers than it's both their own fault and that of the parents.
Pretty much this. Besides, like the article said, if the lawsuit DOES go through, she won't be able to seek restitution since she took her kids there, and therefor illegally gambled.
There's no case here to be honest, I'm guessing it will get dismissed. Many of the machines they are talking about (for instance the claw) can be found just about in every grocery store or arcade across the country. It's true that arcade games can get addictive, but honestly no more addictive than a carnival game at your local fair where you'll never shoot the ball through that 5 inch hoop but you'll always have your eye on that huge stuffed animal that's nearly impossible to get. Kids are always going to want something, and its up to the parents to help control their greed. Can it really be compared to gambling? Perhaps the games are slightly similar, but the affects of gambling on an adult is more destructive. Especially since at that age, there's no one to hold your hand.
I could go so much into this it isn't even funny. Here's my major plot holes for that lady: 1) That lady is only complaining about this right now when this restaurant has been out for years? 2) Can she really relate a child's game to a grown-ups gambling habit? 3) If she doesn't like it why doesn't she just not go there anymore? 4) Did she even consider the other machines in the place that doesn't give a prize? 5) Of course you're paying to get something. If she wants to claim there's gambling, she should put in "It starts the moment you pay for the tokens" or something like that. 6) How can you relate the Claw to gambling for money? Yes, you're gambling, but those games are meant to be hard for a perfectly good reason. If someone always gets a prize how are you going to pay for everything else? There's more, but I'm not going to continue. These kind of things just drive me crazy. I need to cool down, I'm going to freak out about this for a while now.
Its really the parents fault if they decide to give the kids money to spend... And 'the claw' thing...well thats pretty much everywhere isnt it?? And as Aqua101 said,the games are ment to be hard,so that the company makes a profit.
Funny how I always compared arcades to casinos. Though, I think it is kind of like gambling, it shouldn't be a problem, as everyone else said, if it's regulated by a parent.
