Pinball Arcade Forced to Close After One Day Due to Licensing Issues
The Pinball Factory, an arcade featuring pinball machines in Herkenbosch, Netherlands, had to close its doors after only one day of operation. The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, Ksa) ordered the closure due to the lack of a required operating license.
Entrepreneur Adamo Eijkenboom and his partner Belinda Coolen opened The Pinball Factory in April of this year on Veldweg in Herkenbosch, Limburg. The arcade was equipped with approximately 25 pinball machines, intended for corporate outings or a night out.
According to Eijkenboom, he received the green light from the municipality of Roerdalen in January. However, after the first day of business, he was informed by phone that the arcade had to close immediately due to the missing license.
The Ksa informed the municipality that a license is required to operate skill-based gaming machines, which includes the pinball machines at The Pinball Factory. A spokesperson for the regulatory body confirmed this information:
“These [pinball machines] are considered skill-based gaming machines. The legal obligations regarding them have been the same for years.”
The spokesperson also noted that the requirements for an operating license for skill-based gaming machines are less strict than those for slot machines. Operating a slot machine requires a separate permit from the municipality.
Concerns About Illegal Gambling Machines
Eijkenboom claims he was unaware of the licensing requirement for his business. He also states that the Ksa suggested his pinball machines could potentially function as hidden slot machines. He considers this an unfair assumption, as he emphasizes that the machines are set to free play.
The owner of The Pinball Factory also points out that other businesses may be operating without a license. However, the regulatory body states that this is not a valid reason to disregard the rules.
“Others may also be acting unlawfully. There is a chance that we will take action against them as well.”
The closure has significant financial consequences for Eijkenboom:
“This is a sinking ship. I don’t know how long I can keep this up. We’re talking about 25,000 euros for five machines.”
The owner of The Pinball Factory has contacted the Ksa via email but is still awaiting a substantive response after three weeks.
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