x
Breaking News
More () »

Denver police shut down arcade businesses, charge people with gambling

"Anyone who's using the defense that these are purely games of skill is not being honest about what defines a slot machine in Colorado."
Credit: KUSA

DENVER - One by one, movers loaded up all of the arcade games from three different shops in Denver.

Undercover Denver Police officers served search warrants Tuesday afternoon and then arrested three people on gambling charges.

"We have a grave disagreement with what law enforcement is doing," said Chris Howes, the Executive Director of the Colorado Skill Games Association.

Howes said what went into the truck on Tuesday afternoon were games that require skill, and not chance.

In Colorado, the definition of gambling exempts games of skill. But an organization that has worked with casinos, Protect our Neighborhoods, uses the limited gaming statute in the state constitution to argue these arcades are still illegal even if they are games of skill.

"Anyone who's using the defense that these are purely games of skill is not being honest about what defines a slot machine in Colorado," said Michelle Lyng, a spokesperson for Protect our Neighborhoods.

The limited gaming statute calls slot machines games of skill and games of chance, so while the machines confiscated from the businesses in Denver don't look like typical slot machines, Lyng says they are.

These game parlors call themselves "adult arcades" because winners of the games get a cash payour instead of a prize, and only people 18 and older can enter.

A bill introduced in the house would end adult arcades by changing the definition of simulated gambling devices to include games of skill, and not allowing prizes in the form of cash.

"If the law is so clear that police can raid our businesses, then why is House Bill 1234 needed?" Argued Howes. "We would say just vote no."

Denver police have raided these businesses before, but they opened back up because the owners weren't charged or found guilty.

DPD said Tuesday's raids were a part of an ongoing investigation spurred by complaints.

Before You Leave, Check This Out