The Wisconsin Supreme Court says cellphone-charging kiosks in gas stations and other retail locations that include video games on which players can win or lose money are, in fact, illegal gambling machines.
The kiosks, branded “Pow’r Up,” are operated by a company called Quick Charge Kiosk. They give the customer credits to play a video game while their phone is charging. If the player wins, a ticket is printed that can be redeemed for cash. If the player loses, he or she can purchase more credits.
Quick Charge has argued that the machines are not gambling machines because of the free-play option. The high court did not agree, issuing a unanimous decision holding the games to be illegal gambling devices.
“Free play option or not, Quick Charge’s argument does not overcome the reality that its kiosks can be used as gambling machines,” Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote. “Simply because a kiosk has uses other than illegal gambling does not negate that reality.”
