NC 'Fish Arcade' Raids Won't Stop Dave & Buster From Offering Arcade Betting

The American restaurant and entertainment chain, Dave & Buster's, shocked the world on Tuesday after announcing its intention to offer arcade-like gambling across its more than 158 locations across the US.

Adults age 18 and older will be able to place real money wagers on arcade games with friends once the technology is implemented.

$5 wagers on a Hot Shots basketball game and Skee-Ball competitions in addition to other arcade games will be available in the coming months and via the company's app.

Dave and Buster’s is using technology by gamification software company Lucra.

The big question: Is it legal? 

Recent actions by law enforcement in the great state of North Carolina suggests it might not be.

NC Raids

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police filed some 800 plus charges in connection to illegal "fish arcades", arresting two individuals while around a half dozen others were being sought.

The object of these arcades is to feed money into the machine to buy "bullets" then shoot the fish as they swim across the screen.  The bigger the fish, the more money you win.  More expensive bullets purchased, the higher the payouts as well.

NC law enforcement considers these games to be gambling and illegal in a state that does have casinos.

Dave & Buster's appears to offer a game similar to the fish arcades.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police made it clear how they feel about this type of betting.

“These fish arcades and other illegal gambling locations are havens for criminal activity,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said in a news release. “Often the most vulnerable members of our communities are targeted to gamble at these locations. We are very thankful for our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to help us send a message that we will not tolerate these establishments preying on our citizens.”

Dave & Buster's does have four locations in the Tar Heel State including Cary, Concord, Pineville, and Winston-Salem.  The Concord and Pineville venues are located just outside of the city of Charlotte.

Dave & Buster's was founded in 1982.  In addition to a restaurant and bar, most establishments feature bowling, laser tag and virtual reality games.