Des Moines wants to crack down on "fish game" arcades
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"Fish game" arcades that have become popular in businesses across the metro have sparked crime and nuisance concerns, prompting the Des Moines City Council to launch a review of ways the city can regulate them.
Why it matters: The games are proliferating rapidly, yet under the current state law, DSM officials have little direct oversight of them, council members and police tell Axios.
Catch up quick: The Iowa Legislature revised the state's social and charitable gambling law in 2015, mostly to modernize language dating back to the 1970s that focused on games like bingo.
- The overhaul included a new section for "electrical or mechanical amusement devices," allowing merchandise prizes worth up to $50.
Zoom in: Now, "skill arcades" or "fish games" — gambling-style video tables that entice customers to catch virtual fish for prizes — are in about every neighborhood of the city, recently retired DSM City Councilman Chris Coleman tells Axios.
- Some are open 24 hours a day.
The intrigue: The games are licensed by the state, giving local governments limited power to regulate them.
- Coleman raised concerns during one of his final council meetings last month, prompting the council to unanimously ask the city's legal department to review options.
- Possibilities include using DSM's zoning, parking or nuisance enforcement rules to limit some of the activities, Councilperson Linda Westergaard tells Axios.
The big picture: Cities in other states have also wrestled with how to better oversee the games, with Charlotte, North Carolina, police warning that the arcades target low-income populations.
What they're saying: Most businesses with the machines are responsible operators, but a handful have had ongoing issues, often linked to large groups gathering at the establishments late at night, Des Moines Sgt. Paul Parizek tells Axios.
Reality check: DSM police don't specifically track fish game complaints.
Yes, but: They believe the presence of the games is linked with the number of calls to some businesses, including a few that have had dozens of calls since June, Parizek said.
What's next: DSM's legal department is expected to provide the City Council with an analysis of potential next steps in the coming months.