Arcades are surging with games and prizes, so naturally all kids are instantly drawn to these mega playing-centers. However, some have said it’s ‘gambling for kids…’

Arcades are a really smart business, as both the customer and the company leave happily from an arcade. The customer will be carrying bags of prizes and having an “aura” of happiness surrounding them, and of course the arcade will have just made more money. Depending on how well you do with the games, different ticket amounts are awarded - the idea is that, with these tickets, you purchase prizes from a large selection. However, with some rough calculations, you could buy those prizes for half the money you spent at the arcade. To counter this point, though, kids say it brings them fun and happiness, which of course is undeniably important.

Looking back at Dave & Buster’s (a popular arcade in America) 10ks, we’ve deduced that they make over $120 million dollars per year - in fact, in 2022 they made $137.1 million dollars, all from their arcades.

It’s quite hard to say arcades are tricking customers, though. Technically, they are ripping them off, but since they get decent prizes and fun in exchange, many people walk away from arcades happily.

The quality of prizes can be quite good, if you look in the right places. Dave & Busters may have over-expensive prices (about $50 for 400 credits, and each game costs 12 credits), but their prizes are actually very nice. Their stuffed animals are from renowned brands, like the popular ‘Squishmallow,’ and their candy is also unique, like Starbursts Lollipops and Nerds Ropes.

Dave & Busters are smart to a further degree, though - and that’s how they distribute jackpots. I’ve personally witnessed people screaming with delight as they obtain thousands of tickets - of course this is enough for people to beg to return, for people to beg to buy more, and naturally, arcades have hundreds of kids addicted.

Despite all the great things that balance out how arcades rip off customers, some experts have called arcades a version of ‘gambling for kids,’ claiming that the ‘wheels that spin’ and ‘slightly tweaked slot machines’ are really just introducing gambling to kids decades earlier. Whilst the kids may not be paying to enjoy the arcade, the credits they get are like money in a different country, and some just don’t know how to use them wisely and smartly.

The expert who gave us these insights couldn’t be reached for further comment.

What do you think? Are arcades a rip off and a scam OR a worthwhile, fun activity? Vote below and see what others have picked too!