House kills ‘Chuck E. Cheese’ bill over video poker concerns

The South Carolina House killed what’s known as the “Chuck E. Cheese” bill Wednesday morning, over concerns that it would allow video poker to sneak back into the state.

House Judiciary Committe Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, said, “I think it is drafted in such a way that it would create a loophole to basically get us video poker back, where you’re paid off in merchandise rather than cash.“

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Columbia, to make it clear that Skee Ball and other games that offer tickets or tokens that are traded for toys or candy are perfectly legal.

While Rep. Harrison was speaking against the bill, Rutherford asked him about the current law against gambling. Harrison explained that, under the current law, if you pay something of value and an element of risk is involved to win something of value, that’s gambling.

“So little three-year-olds or five-year-olds at Chuck E. Cheese are, in fact, breaking the law by gambling? Is that what you’re telling me?“ Rutherford asked.

Harrison replied, “I think under the current definition of gambling, that what goes on as innocent fun in many cases is gambling.“

Shelley Giles was with her 7-year-old son Taylor at Frankie’s Fun Park in Columbia Tuesday afternoon. He was playing Skee Ball and other games, running around with a handful of tickets he’d won.

When told that the games technically break the law, she said, “I kind of think that’s a little silly. I understand you have to be very technical and all of that, but these are just kids out for a good time, so I think we definitely need to make exceptions for that.“

Rep. Harrison says even though the games might technically break the law, local and state law enforcement agencies have plenty to do without worrying about the games at Chuck E. Cheese’s, so parents, and children, don’t need to worry.

Rep. Rutherford says he’ll try again next year.