Score Family Fun Center, Inc. v. County of San Diego

The owners of four “Mini-Boy 7” video games, which were confiscated as illegal slot machines by sheriff’s deputies, sued the sheriff and his department to recover the video games and damages. The owners contend the video games are not illegal slot machines and that the statutory scheme allowing confiscation violates due process. We affirm.

Facts

The Mini-Boy 7 is a video game which has seven games: draw poker, seven card stud, blackjack, baccarat, hi-lo, double-up and craps. The screen displays cards or a craps table. When a player inserts a quarter into the machine, he is given 10,000 points to wager and can play up to 4 of the games. The game terminates if the player loses all his points. If a player wins, he not only receives points but also becomes entitled to double his points by playing a free game of hi-lo. In the hi-lo game, the machine simulates dealing one card face down and asks the player if the card is high (eight or above) or low (ace to six) (seven is a house card). Winning the hi-lo game entitles the player to another hi-lo game.

Discussion

I

The Mini-Boy 7 is a Slot Machine

The owners contend the Mini-Boy 7 video game is not a slot machine.

The…