Most Arcades Feel Like Total Scams These Days

When did we turn arcades into mini versions of Las Vegas?

Over spring break, my family spent a few days at a decidedly Midwestern staple: the Wisconsin Dells. It’s many things, but chiefly, the Wisconsin Dells is a series of massive hotels with waterparks that go on forever. And they’re also stuffed to the gills with other amusement options, including go karts, mini golf, and, of course, arcades.

Calling it Midwestern Disneyland would not be all that far off the mark.

On vacation, my financial impulses go out the window. The reason I avoid spending money every other day of my life is to say “yes” as often as possible while on vacation.

But as we walked through the “arcade” in our hotel, I despaired. They were all games of chance, the closest young children can engage in our society’s ever-expanding gambling complex. Games your children are certain to lose. All they do is eat dollars.

They are, plain and simple, scams. Which is what I taught my kids to call them, too.