A Michigan lawmaker is looking to put an end to no-good rats who are operating illegal slot machines in the state, but her proposal, as written, would also ensnare everyone’s favorite — well, probably second-favorite — mouse.

As first reported by Michigan Capitol Confidential, state Rep. Cynthia Neely (D) introduced House Bill 5227, which would effectively redefine what an illegal slot machine is in the state.

From the bill: “(S)lot machine means any mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, or other device, contrivance, or machine that, on insertion of a coin, token, or similar object, or on payment of any consideration, is available to play or operate. The play or operation of the slot machine, whether by reason of skill of the operator or application of the element of chance, or both, may deliver to or entitle the person playing or operating the machine to receive cash, premiums, merchandise, tokens, or anything of value, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or in any other manner.”

In short: Chuck E. Cheese’s games, Dave & Buster’s games, Skee-Ball — basically, any child’s game that spits out tickets or coins that can later be redeemed for items such as Airheads candy, Chinese finger traps, vampire teeth, and “anything on the bottom row” — would be deemed illegal.

‘Unintended consequences’

“This bill is a classic example of politically caused unintended consequences,” Steve Delie, the director of labor policy at the Mackinac Center, told Michigan Capitol Confidential. “The definition is so broad, it would outlaw what is clearly recreational activity. Unless the Michigan Legislature wants to make it a felony for kids to play at the arcade, the proposed law should be seriously amended or scrapped altogether.”

Worth noting: The proposed bill does include a crane game carve out, leaving those alone, provided the prize is not worth more than $3.75.

Interestingly, crane games are generally considered to be completely rigged, with owners able to futz with the settings. 

Michigan Capitol Confidential attempted to reach Rep. Neely for comment, but she did not return the outlet’s emails.

Emails to Chuck E. Cheese — the corporate entity, not the anthropomorphic mouse voiced by Bowling for Soup frontman Jaret Reddick — were also unreturned as of publication of this article.

Since online casinos have been legalized in Michigan, there has been a steady stream of raids, arrests, and wholesale destruction of illegal gaming machines in the Great Lakes State.

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