Gaming, as in Skill Gaming, has been legalized in Nebraska since 2020. That means as long as an establishment adheres to the state’s statutes and regulations, they can have Skill Gaming machines. As a sidenote, the machines we provide at Accel Entertainment fall under these statutes and regulations entirely, so there’s no need to worry!
The important distinction here is the word “skill” in Skill Games. These machines must give players the opportunity to use their wits in order to win rather than having their odds be determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG), as most slot machines do. As it so happens, since players are using skill rather than luck, these machines now fall under the classification of “amusement machines.” Amusement machines have been legal in Nebraska for years, and this important distinction has opened the door to an entirely new category of amusement machines.
What is an “amusement machine”?
An amusement machine is any kind of machine that is used as a game, contest, or general entertainment upon the insertion of cash or a credit equivalent. Examples include arcade games, mechanical dart boards, or even automatic pool tables. All of these machines have a simple commonality: skill. They all rely on the player to make the right move, throw the dart, or hit a ball into a pocket. None are centered around “chance” like slot games. That’s the important part.
What is still illegal?
Games like typical slot machines still remain illegal in the eyes of the state of Nebraska. That means any game that relies on “chance” or “luck” in order for the player to win is outlawed within state-lines. When we say “typical” slot machines, we mean the slots you would see in casinos, restaurants, and other establishments in various states.
Nebraska has a long-term history when it comes to gaming, even being home to Omaha, the largest gambling town back in the 1800’s! Make sure you know your history if you plan on adding skill gaming to your Nebraska business!
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