Issue Date: Vol. 50, No. 6, June 2010, Posted On: 6/14/2010
Georgia High Court To Rule On Redemption Viddies
by Staff Reporter
adult redemption, adult video games, video poker, Georgia Supreme Court, Georgia gambling law, video game rewards, cash payout video games, coin-op games, amusement operator, amusement vendor
ATLANTA -- Georgia's Supreme Court heard arguments on June 7 regarding proper limits for cash awards paid to players of coin-operated videogames. Attorneys for the state argued that adult redemption videogames violate Georgia's gambling laws if they allow players to accumulate points and rewards that exceed the statutory $5 per play limit. According to local press outlets, some games enable players to win up to $500 through accumulated plays.
The case dates back seven years to a raid in Cobb County, where authorities seized 13 games. Raids have continued across the state since then, including several actions this year that seized $500,000 in cash from a single location, as well as arrests (or arrest warrants) for at least two dozen operators or location owners on charges of illegal gambling.
On May 26, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a new law to take effect July 1 that tightens the rules for adult redemption games and increases taxes.
