Colorado Dave & Buster's Making Controversial Change

Family entertainment centers in Colorado are few and far between, with Dave & Buster's having just two locations in the state. Those two locations will be seeing a change on how things go in the arcades.

In the early 1980's, much like those old commercials for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups where chocolate gets accidently dumped into some peanut butter to become a great treat, two guys (Dave and Buster) combined their two establishments into one, and the rest is history.

Dave & Buster's can definitely be a lot of fun; I have a relative that used to be a manager of one of the Colorado locations, and she would my hook my nephew and I up with some free fun. Some food, a lot of games, a beer for Uncle Dave; it's a great place to kill a couple of hours.

RELATED: Why Northern Colorado Won't Be Getting a Dave & Buster's

Dave & Buster's Making Big Change

In April of 2024, Dave & Buster's announced that they'll be adding betting to their mix. Where their current slogan is "Eat, Drink, Play, Watch," they may change it to be "Eat, Drink, Play, Watch, Bet."

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By the end of 2024, when Coloradans visit the Dave & Busters in Westminster or Denver, by using the Dave & Buster's app they'll be able to place bets on games like Skee-Ball, Hot Shots basketball, and more.

Technically, Betting at Dave & Buster's Won't Be Gambling

According to CNBC, these bets will be peer-to-peer "skill based" bets, not subject to gambling regulations. More than a few people are concerned that no matter what they say it is, it really is gambling.

From CNBC's interview with the Executive Director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, International Gaming Institute:

...this is an activity in which participants are risking something of value on an outcome that is uncertain. Therefore, there should be consumer protection measures in place for players, particularly when the target audience is skewed toward younger participants..

Illinois and Ohio are definitely against this whole idea; we'll have to see if Colorado legislators take up the issue.

MORE Colorado Fun: That Time a Florida Man Had a Bad Time at Lakeside

A man from Florida visited Colorado's legendary Lakeside in 2021 and was injured on the Cyclone roller coaster. Now, he's suing, and people are giving him a very hard time.

MORE Colorado Fun: Check Out an Abandoned Amusement Park in Colorado

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

Heritage Square was an amusement park in Golden, Colorado that was open from 1959 to 2018.

Gallery Credit: Nate Wilde

Filed Under: Colorado