An Illinois state representative recently heard about Dave & Buster’s new wrinkle to the company’s app that will allow friendly bets on arcade games, which prompted him to draft legislation to outlaw the practice in the Land of Lincoln.
Wanna Make a Bet?
Dave & Buster’s is a restaurant chain that also offers arcade games, laser tag, bowling and other amusements, all under one roof. It currently has more than 222 North American locations and its stock is up nearly 50% within the last year. It is a popular family and friends’ destination for adults and kids alike, although youngsters must be accompanied by someone of legal age to enter.
But management has recently announced that Dave & Buster’s will be collaborating with gamification software company Lucra to allow person-to-person betting on arcade games via the D&B app. It is a novel concept and one that the company is eager to roll out to its expansive customer base.
“We’re thrilled to work with Lucra to bring this exciting new gaming platform to our customers,” said Simon Murray, senior vice president of entertainment and attractions at Dave & Buster’s. “This new partnership gives our loyalty members real-time, unrivaled gaming experiences, and reinforces our commitment to continuing to elevate our customer experience through innovative, cutting-edge technology.”
Lucra’s co-founders are Dylan Robbins and Michael Madding, former colleagues at Goldman Sachs and Standford Business School graduates, who believe their technology can get people to invest more time and money at a location, thereby, establishing a deeper and more fulfilling connection between the customer and the business.
“Lucra helps our partners drive user adoption, increase retention and engagement, and add new monetization streams to their business,” said Robbins, Lucra’s CEO.
Legal Objections
With the advent of mobile sports betting in the vast majority of states as well as mainstream acceptance of what was once viewed by some as a shady business, there doesn’t appear to be anything illegal about an app allowing two buddies to wager on a friendly game of ski ball. However, one Illinois state representative believes there is a time and a place for everything, and betting at a family restaurant is not the place regardless of the time. And it didn’t take Illinois state Representative Dan Didech, chairman of the Illinois House Gaming Committee, long to sponsor a bill and get this before a committee.
“What they announced is just so inappropriate. In the past few years, gambling has expanded in a lot of ways that I think are good, but in the process become a much larger part of daily life for a lot of people. I think there are some spaces and environments that are just not appropriate for gambling to be pushed on people, especially places where there are lots of children. The Dave & Buster’s in my district is in a mall. It just doesn’t make sense for a whole host of reasons for them to be getting into this the way they are,” said Didech.
Didech’s Family Amusement Wagering Prohibition Act, HB5832, would ban wagering on arcade games at family entertainment facilities and would also prohibit betting advertising at those locations. Didech has said he would withdraw the measure if Dave & Buster’s decides against adding arcade betting to its app.
