Ohio bar game caught in legal battle

Is it luck or is it skill? That's the question at the center of the debate over Tic Tac Fruit, a video game popular in many Ohio bars. Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro argues that the machine is an illegal, luck-based gambling device and has given Ohio bars until Nov. 11 to remove it from the premise or face sanctions. The game's maker, Ohio Skill Games, sees it differently, arguing on their web site that "Tic Tac Fruit and all of its variations are games of skill. Meaning that the outcome of each game is dependent on the players [sic] skill."
It's hard to say which side is in the right. At first glance, the game resembles a video slot machine, with three columns of three symbols each rolling to a stop with each play. The skill part, the manufacturer argues, comes when players places a wild square to maximize the payout, although the ability to do this correctly seems pretty elementary.
Ohio Skill Games backs up its argument with what it calls "the best legal team in the state of Ohio," ensuring that the attorney general's decision won't go unchallenged. In June, the manufacturer agreed to update the game's software in a settlement with the City of Columbus.
Watch - February news story on gambling games in Ohio
Read - AP story on recent attorney general order











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
32_Footsteps @ Nov 6th 2006 12:49PM
Hrm... the thing is, most gambling games have elements of skill as well (poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and even roulette to some extent all have skill portions to their games). The mere presence of a skill reward is not enough to say it isn't gambling.
To be honest, it seems like video poker is more of a skill game than this - and any instance where video poker gives a cash reward is considered gambling, too.
Lesbian Ham @ Nov 6th 2006 1:41PM
Sounds to me like this guy's lost quite a bit o' the green to these machines, and wants revenge... ;p
Leggo @ Nov 6th 2006 3:11PM
I'm not from Ohio, but I'd imagine this is as good a reason as any to vote for the other guy in the Attorney General's race. Talk about a frivolous lawsuit, and their tax dollars are paying for it.
Pince @ Nov 6th 2006 5:09PM
That game looks fun.
When does it go to XBLA?
ackmondual @ Nov 6th 2006 5:57PM
If you're actually able to win real $$ from this machine, then it IS gambling, and only legal if you're of age and the institution has a license for running gambling events